Effect of Rho signaling pathway on SiO₂ induced α-SMA expression in human bronchial epithelial cells
Xin Jiang1, Yongbin Hu, Guannan Liang
1Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
Objective:
To investigate the role of Rho in SiO₂ induced α-SMA expression in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs).
Methods:
HBECs were cultured and stimulated with SiO₂. Immunocytochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of α-SMA. The activity of Rho was determined by GST pull down assay. In the prevention experiment, SiO₂-stimulated HBECs were incubated with Rho inhibitor Y27632, and the expression of α-SMA was examined by Western blot.
Results:
With SiO₂ (0-300 μg/mL) treatment, the expression of α-SMA increased gradually, and 200 μg/mL of SiO₂ led to the highest expression of α-SMA which was (5.09±1.98) times of the expression of α-SMA in the control group(P<0.01). HBECs treated with SiO₂ (200 μg/mL) for indicated time (1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h) showed an obvious increase of Rho activity(P<0.01). Y27632 inhibited SiO₂-induced α-SMA expression significantly, and the inhibition rate of 20 and 30 μmol/L Y27632 was 68% and 75%, respectively (P<0.01).
Conclusion:
Rho signaling pathway may mediate SiO₂ induced α-SMA expression in HBECs.
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