Exposure to biomass smoke extract enhances fibronectin release from fibroblasts

PLoS One. 2013 Dec 26;8(12):e83938. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083938. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

COPD induced following biomass smoke exposure has been reported to be associated with a more fibrotic phenotype than cigarette smoke induced COPD. This study aimed to investigate if biomass smoke induced extracellular matrix (ECM) protein production from primary human lung fibroblasts in vitro. Primary human lung fibroblasts (n=5-10) were stimulated in vitro for up to 72 hours with increasing concentrations of biomass smoke extract (BME) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE) prior to being assessed for deposition of ECM proteins, cytokine release, and activation of intracellular signalling molecules. Deposition of the ECM proteins perlecan and fibronectin was upregulated by both CSE (p<0.05) and BME (p<0.05). The release of the neutrophilic chemokine IL-8 was also enhanced by BME. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was significantly upregulated by BME (p<0.05). Chemical inhibition of ERK signalling molecules partially attenuated these effects (p<0.05). Stimulation with endotoxin had no effect. This study demonstrated that BME had similar effects to CSE in vitro and had the capacity to directly induce fibrosis by upregulating production of ECM proteins. The mechanisms by which both biomass and cigarette smoke exposure cause lung damage may be similar.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Airway Remodeling / drug effects
  • Biomass*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibronectins / metabolism*
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Smoke / adverse effects*
  • Tobacco Products / analysis

Substances

  • Fibronectins
  • Interleukin-8
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Smoke
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Australia, and the Australian Respiratory Council. JKB was supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship #1032695. JLB was supported by a NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship #571098. BGO was supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship #1026880. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.