PI3K and Notch signal pathways coordinately regulate the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes in asthma

Weixi Zhang1, Ying Nie, Lei Chong

  • 1Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, The Second Affiliated Hospital &Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325027, China.

Life Sciences
|April 6, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Notch signaling pathways regulate CD4(+) T lymphocyte cell cycling in asthma. These pathways control cyclinD1, cyclinA, and p27kip1 expression, impacting T cell proliferation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation involving T lymphocytes.
  • Cell cycle regulators like cyclins and p27kip1 are crucial for T cell proliferation.
  • The roles of PI3K and Notch signaling in asthma-related T cell dysregulation require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the involvement of PI3K and Notch signaling pathways in regulating cell cycle molecules (cyclinD1, cyclinA, p27kip1) in CD4(+) T lymphocytes from a murine asthma model.
  • To assess the impact of PI3K and Notch pathway inhibition on CD4(+) T lymphocyte proliferation.

Main Methods:

  • An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of asthma was utilized.
  • Expression of cyclin D1, cyclin A, and p27kip1 in splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes was analyzed.
  • Specific inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) and Notch (DAPT) were used to evaluate their effects on T cell proliferation.

Main Results:

  • Asthma model CD4(+) T lymphocytes showed increased cyclinD1 and cyclinA expression (mRNA and protein) and decreased p27kip1.
  • Both PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) and Notch inhibitor (DAPT) suppressed CD4(+) T lymphocyte proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
  • Combined inhibition by LY294002 and DAPT demonstrated additive effects in down-regulating cyclinD1 and up-regulating p27kip1.

Conclusions:

  • PI3K and Notch signaling pathways coordinately regulate CD4(+) T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation in asthma.
  • These pathways exert their effects by modulating the expression of cyclinD1 and p27kip1.
  • Targeting PI3K and Notch signaling represents a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma.

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