Cigarette smoke inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inflammatory cytokines by suppressing the activation of activator protein-1 in bronchial epithelial cells

J Immunol. 2004 Sep 15;173(6):4164-70. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.6.4164.

Abstract

Chronic smoking is characterized by immunosuppressive changes in the airways, leading to chronic colonization with bacteria, which in turn may contribute to the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mechanisms causing this immunosuppression, however, are poorly characterized. This study evaluated whether cigarette smoke can inhibit endotoxin (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cells and, if so, what the mechanisms are behind this effect. Pretreatment with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) concentration dependently inhibited the LPS-induced GM-CSF and IL-8 protein release, which was accompanied by decreased expression of mRNA in human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas-2B). The increase of neutrophil chemotaxis induced by conditioned medium from LPS-treated Beas-2B cells was also suppressed by CSE. In addition, the activity of LPS-induced transcription factor AP-1, but not NF-kappaB, was down-regulated by CSE. Notably, at the concentrations used, CSE had no effect on number or viability of Beas-2B cells. These data indicate that cigarette smoke possesses immunosuppressive properties by down-regulating the bacterial pathogen-induced neutrophil-mobilizing cytokine production via suppression of AP-1 activation in the airways. Hence, this study suggests a novel mechanism by which cigarette smoke may contribute to chronic colonization and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in smokers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Bronchi / immunology*
  • Bronchi / metabolism
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Migration Inhibition
  • Cell Survival / immunology
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / immunology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / physiology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / cytology
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology*
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • Smoking / immunology*
  • Smoking / metabolism
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cytokines
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-8
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases