Surfactant Proteins-A and -D Attenuate LPS-Induced Apoptosis in Primary Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IECs)

SP-A/D KO mice with sepsis demonstrate more severe lung, kidney, and gut injury/apoptosis than WT controls. We hypothesize SP-A and SP-D directly regulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and gut apoptosis during sepsis.

Primary IECs were established from SP-A/D KO or C57BL/6 WT mice, stimulated with LPS and harvested at 24 h. IECs from WT mice were treated with SP-A, SP-D, or vehicle for 20 h, then LPS for 24 h. Apoptosis, cleaved caspase-3 levels and the ratio of BAX/Bcl-2 were assayed. The role of P38 MAPK was examined using the P38 MAPK-agonist U46619 and inhibitor SB203580 in LPS-treated cells. p-P38 MAPK/t-P38 MAPK, TLR4, and CD14 were measured by Western Blot.

LPS-induced apoptosis, caspase-3 levels, BAX/Bcl-2, and p-P38/t-P38 MAPK were increased in SP-A/D KO IECs. SP-A and SP-D attenuate LPS-induced increase in apoptosis, cleaved caspase-3, BAX/Bcl-2, and p-P38/t-P38 MAPK in WT IECs. U46619 increased apoptosis, caspase-3, and BAX/Bcl-2 in IECs which was attenuated by SP-A/D. SB203580 attenuates the LPS-induced increase in apoptosis, caspase-3, and BAX/Bcl-2 in WT IECs. Addition of SP-A or SP-D to SB203580 completely ameliorates LPS-induced apoptosis. The LPS-induced increase in TLR4 and CD14 expression is greater in IECs from SP-A/D KO mice and treatment of WT IECs with SP-A or SP-D prevents the LPS-induced increase in TLR4 and CD14.

SP-A and SP-D attenuate LPS-induced increases in apoptosis, caspase-3, and BAX/Bcl-2 in IECs. Attenuation of LPS-induced activation of TLR4 and P38 MAPK signaling pathways represents potential mechanisms for the protective effects of SP-A/D on apoptosis.