Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Intra-tracheal Administration of Haemophilus influenzae in Mouse Models to Study Airway Inflammation
09:56

Intra-tracheal Administration of Haemophilus influenzae in Mouse Models to Study Airway Inflammation

Published on: March 2, 2016

11.0K

Autophagy is essential for ultrafine particle-induced inflammation and mucus hyperproduction in airway epithelium

Zhi-Hua Chen1, Yin-Fang Wu1, Ping-Li Wang1

  • 1a Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine , Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine , Hangzhou , Zhejiang.

Autophagy
|December 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Autophagy plays a key role in airway injury from environmental particulate matter (PM). Blocking autophagy reduces inflammation and mucus production, suggesting therapeutic potential for PM-induced respiratory conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Environmental Health
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Environmental ultrafine particulate matter (PM) causes airway injury through unclear molecular pathways.
  • Autophagy, a cellular degradation process, is implicated in inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of autophagy in regulating inflammation and mucus hyperproduction induced by PM.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of modulating autophagy in PM-induced airway diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and mouse models exposed to PM.
  • Employed genetic knockdown of autophagy-related genes (Becn1, Lc3b) and lysosomal inhibition.
  • Assessed inflammatory cytokine (IL-8, IL-6) and MUC5AC expression, and airway inflammation in vivo.

Main Results:

  • PM exposure triggered autophagy in HBE cells, with particle engulfment by autophagosomes.
  • Genetic blockade of autophagy significantly reduced PM-induced IL-8, IL-6, and MUC5AC expression in HBE cells.
  • Impaired autophagy in mice led to reduced airway inflammation and mucus hyperproduction following PM exposure.
  • Lysosomal inhibition aggravated IL-8 production via NFKB1 but attenuated MUC5AC expression via AP-1.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy is essential for PM-induced airway epithelial injury.
  • Inhibition of autophagy demonstrates therapeutic benefits for PM-induced airway inflammation and mucus hyperproduction.
  • The autophagic flux differentially regulates inflammatory and mucus production pathways.
Keywords:
airway inflammationautophagyendocytosismucus hyperproductionultrafine particulate matter

More Related Videos

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins09:24

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins

Published on: June 14, 2016

27.4K
Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer08:47

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

4.0K

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
4.8K
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
5.0K
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
1.7K
Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
6.1K
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
10.5K
Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.7K