Bronchial epithelial cells regulate fibroblast proliferation

Y. Nakamura, L. Tate, R. F. Ertl, M. Kawamoto, T. Mio, Y. Adachi, D. J. Romberger, S. Koizumi, G. Gossman, R. A. Robbins, J. R. Spurzem, S. I. Rennard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

63 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic bronchitis frequently leads to irreversible airway obstruction. Alteration of airway architecture with abnormal airway connective tissue is thought to play an important role in this process. We hypothesized that the epithelial cells that line the airways modulate the development of peribronchial fibrosis and fixed airway obstruction by directing fibroblast proliferation. To assess this, we examined stimulatory activities for human lung fibroblast proliferation in bovine bronchial epithelial cell- conditioned medium. The conditioned medium stimulated the proliferation of fibroblasts in a serum-free culture system in a concentration-dependent manner. The fibroblast growth stimulatory activity was heterogenous, with molecular masses of >50 and ~10 kDa. Bronchial epithelial cell-conditioned medium also contained fibroblast growth inhibitory factors, including both transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and, based on indomethacin sensitivity, cyclooxygenase products. TGF-β appeared to contribute to the morphological change of fibroblasts induced by the conditioned medium. Co-culture of human lung fibroblasts with bronchial epithelial cells resulted in a stimulation of fibroblast proliferation. In summary, airway epithelial cells appear to regulate fibroblast proliferation and may play a role in peribronchial fibrosis in chronic bronchitis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L377-L387
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Volume269
Issue number3 13-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1995

Keywords

  • growth factors
  • prostaglandin E
  • transforming growth factor-β

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)
  • Cell Biology

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