Abstract
BackgroundMast cells (MCs) play a central role in the development of many diseases including asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. Interactions of human lung mast cells (HLMCs) with human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) are partially dependent on adhesion mediated by cell adhesion molecule-1 (CADM1), but the adhesion mechanism through which HLMCs interact with human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) is not known. CADM1 is expressed as several isoforms (SP4, SP1, SP6) in HLMCs, with SP4 dominant. These isoforms differentially regulate HLMC homotypic adhesion and survival.ObjectiveIn this study we have investigated the role of CADM1 isoforms in the adhesion of HLMCs and HMC-1 cells to primary HASMCs and HLFs.MethodsCADM1 overexpression or downregulation was achieved using adenoviral delivery of CADM1 short hairpin RNAs or isoform-specific cDNAs respectively.ResultsDownregulation of CADM1 attenuated both HLMC and HMC-1 adhesion to both primary HASMCs and HLFs. Overexpression of either SP1 or SP4 isoforms did not alter MC adhesion to HASMCs, whereas overexpression of SP4, but not SP1, significantly increased both HMC-1 cell and HLMC adhesion to HLFs. The expression level of CADM1 SP4 strongly predicted the extent of MC adhesion; linear regression indicated that CADM1 accounts for up to 67% and 32% of adhesion to HLFs for HMC-1 cells and HLMCs, respectively. HLFs supported HLMC proliferation and survival through a CADM1-dependent mechanism. With respect to CADM1 counter-receptor expression, HLFs expressed both CADM1 and nectin-3, whereas HASMCs expressed only nectin-3.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceCollectively these data indicate that the CADM1 SP4 isoform is a key receptor mediating human MC adhesion to HASMCs and HLFs. The differential expression of CADM1 counter-receptors on HLFs compared to HASMCs may allow the specific targeting of either HLMC-HLF or HLMC-HASMC interactions in the lung parenchyma and airways.
Highlights
Mast cells (MCs) play a primary role in the initiation and propagation of many diseases including asthma and pulmonary fibrosis through the release of numerous proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators [1]
The expression level of cell adhesion molecule-1 (CADM1) SP4 strongly predicted the extent of MC adhesion; linear regression indicated that CADM1 accounts for up to 67% and 32% of adhesion to human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) for HMC-1 cells and human lung mast cells (HLMCs), respectively
Relevance: Collectively these data indicate that the CADM1 SP4 isoform is a key receptor mediating human MC adhesion to human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and HLFs
Summary
Mast cells (MCs) play a primary role in the initiation and propagation of many diseases including asthma and pulmonary fibrosis through the release of numerous proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators [1]. In asthma, activated MCs migrate into the airway epithelium [4], airway mucous glands [5] and airway smooth muscle (ASM) [6] This relocation of MCs within diseased lung tissue facilitates mast cell-structural cell interactions which in turn drives the pathobiology. Direct contact between human lung MCs (HLMCs) and human lung fibroblasts (HLFs)/3T3 fibroblasts or human ASM cells (HASMCs) leads to MC activation and secretion of proinflammatory mediators [7,8,9]. Interactions of human lung mast cells (HLMCs) with human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) are partially dependent on adhesion mediated by cell adhesion molecule-1 (CADM1), but the adhesion mechanism through which HLMCs interact with human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) is not known.
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