Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
08:59
Utilizing the Precision-Cut Lung Slice to Study the Contractile Regulation of Airway and Intrapulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle
Published on: May 5, 2022
4.1K
Glucocorticoids regulate pentraxin-3 expression in human airway smooth muscle cells
Jingbo Zhang1, Latifa Koussih1,2, Lianyu Shan1
1Department of Immunology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Plos One
|August 23, 2019
Summary
Glucocorticoids (GCs) like dexamethasone increase pentraxin-3 (PTX3) in airway smooth muscle cells. This regulation involves protein synthesis, the GC receptor, mRNA stability, and the ERK pathway, offering insights into asthma treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a key immune regulator.
- Glucocorticoids (GCs) are primary asthma therapies.
- GC effects on PTX3 vary across cell types, with mechanisms in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GC-induced PTX3 expression in HASMC.
- To investigate the roles of the GC receptor (GR) and specific signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of HASMC with dexamethasone (DEX).
- Analysis of PTX3 protein and mRNA levels.
- Assessment of mRNA stability and promoter activity.
- Inhibition of signaling pathways (ERK, p38, JNK).
Main Results:
- DEX significantly upregulated PTX3 protein and mRNA in HASMC.
- DEX-induced PTX3 expression required de novo protein synthesis and GR.
- DEX enhanced PTX3 mRNA stability but not promoter activity.
- ERK pathway inhibition blocked DEX-induced PTX3 secretion, unlike p38 or JNK inhibition.
Conclusions:
- GCs regulate PTX3 expression in HASMC via GR and ERK signaling.
- Mechanisms involve both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, including mRNA stabilization.
- Findings provide molecular insights into GC action in airway inflammation.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Functions of Smooth Muscles
3.2K
Smooth muscles are an important type of muscle tissue that plays a vital role in the involuntary movements of internal organs. For example, they help regulate the movement of food through the gut and the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
Function of visceral smooth muscles
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...
Function of visceral smooth muscles
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...
3.2K
01:25Smooth Muscle Contraction
7.4K
Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
7.4K
01:13Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles
8.5K
Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
8.5K
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
25.7K
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
25.7K
01:14Muscles for Facial Expressions
4.7K
The craniofacial muscles are a collection of approximately 20 thin skeletal muscles situated beneath the skin of the face and scalp. These muscles, primarily responsible for the vast array of human facial expressions, originate from the bones or fibrous structures of the skull and extend outwards to connect with the skin. While most skeletal muscles in the body are enveloped in thick fascia, facial muscles generally have a more delicate fascial covering, with the buccinator muscle being a...
4.7K
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
7.7K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.7K