Document Detail


N-acetylcysteine inhibits alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19648289     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The ability of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in vitro and in vivo, together with the demonstration of EMT in biopsies of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, suggests a role for TGF-beta1-induced EMT in disease pathogenesis. We investigated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on TGF-beta1-induced EMT in a rat epithelial cell line (RLE-6TN) and in primary rat alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). RLE-6TN cells exposed to TGF-beta1 for 5 days underwent EMT as evidenced by acquisition of a fibroblast-like morphology, downregulation of the epithelial-specific protein zonula occludens-1, and induction of the mesenchymal-specific proteins alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and vimentin. These changes were inhibited by NAC, which also prevented Smad3 phosphorylation. Similarly, primary alveolar epithelial type II cells exposed to TGF-beta1 also underwent EMT that was prevented by NAC. TGF-beta1 decreased cellular GSH levels by 50-80%, whereas NAC restored them to approximately 150% of those found in TGF-beta1-treated cells. Treatment with glutathione monoethyl ester similarly prevented an increase in mesenchymal marker expression. Consistent with its role as an antioxidant and cellular redox stabilizer, NAC dramatically reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species production in the presence of TGF-beta1. Finally, inhibition of intracellular ROS generation during TGF-beta1 treatment prevented alveolar EMT, but treatment with H2O2 alone did not induce EMT. We conclude that NAC prevents EMT in AEC in vitro, at least in part through replenishment of intracellular GSH stores and limitation of TGF-beta1-induced intracellular ROS generation. We speculate that beneficial effects of NAC on pulmonary function in IPF may be mediated by inhibitory effects on alveolar EMT.
Authors:
V M Felton; Z Borok; B C Willis
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-07-31
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology     Volume:  297     ISSN:  1522-1504     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol.     Publication Date:  2009 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-10-27     Completed Date:  2009-11-10     Revised Date:  2010-11-02    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100901229     Medline TA:  Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  L805-12     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Heart and Lung Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 500 W. Thomas Rd., Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetylcysteine / pharmacology*
Animals
Cell Line
Epithelium / drug effects*,  pathology*
Glutathione / pharmacology
Humans
Membrane Proteins / metabolism
Mesoderm / drug effects*,  pathology*
Phosphoproteins / metabolism
Phosphorylation / drug effects
Pulmonary Alveoli / drug effects*,  pathology*
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
Smad3 Protein / metabolism
Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
HL-38578/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; HL-62569/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; HL-89445/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Madh3 protein, rat; 0/Membrane Proteins; 0/Phosphoproteins; 0/Reactive Oxygen Species; 0/Smad3 Protein; 0/Transforming Growth Factor beta1; 0/zonula occludens-1 protein; 616-91-1/Acetylcysteine; 70-18-8/Glutathione
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2009 Nov;297(5):L803-4   [PMID:  19700642 ]

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