The impact of Talin2, a signaling protein regulating the focal adhesion complex, on asthma

Talin protein as a mechanosensitive cytoskeleton protein connects the extracellular matrix to the cytoskeleton by linking to integrins and actin, thereby mediating the conversion of mechanical signals into biochemical signals and influencing disease progression. The biological significance of Talin2 in asthma is not well understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Talin2 in asthma. Mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline and MRC-5 cells were used to investigate the role of Talin2 in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. In addition, Talin2 levels were measured in the plasma of control subjects and asthmatic patients. The relationships between Talin2 and clinical variables in asthmatic patients were also examined. Plasma Talin2 levels were higher in asthmatic patients than control subjects. In asthmatic patients, Talin2 levels correlated with FEV1 % pred., FVC % pred., and FEV1/FVC, and the blood neutrophils and lymphocyte proportion. The receiver operating characteristic curves for Talin2 levels differed between control subjects and asthmatic patients. Talin2, Kindlin2, Integrin β1 and F-actin levels were significantly increased in MRC-5 cells exposed to Der p 1, but decreased in MRC-5 cells treated with talin2 siRNA. The BALF and serum levels of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-α) were elevated in OVA mice compared to the control mice. Talin2, Kindlin2, Integrin β1, and F-actin protein expression in lung tissue was significantly higher in OVA mice than control mice. These results suggest that Talin2 be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, and may be a marker for asthma.