KLF2 attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation with regulation of AP-1

Journal Article · Mon Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2018 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2017.10.114· OSTI ID:23100645

Shi, Jian; Zhou, Li-rong; Wang, Xiao-sheng; Du, Jun-feng; Jiang, Ming-ming; Song, Zhan; Han, Guang-chao; Mai, Zhi-tao ^[1]

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1. Department of Respiratory Diseases, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, 061001, PR (China)

Highlights: • KLF2 is downregulated in BLM-treated rats. • KLF2 alleviates BLM-induced lung fibrosis. • KLF2 suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. • KLF2 prevents TGF-β1 induced lung fibrosis in vitro. • Effects of KLF2 on AP-1. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, fibrosing interstitial pneumonia and devastating disease. Here we investigated the potential roles of Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) on pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation response. A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM). The mRNA and protein levels of KLF2 were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. The extent of lung fibrosis was determined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining, and the hydroxyproline content was quantified. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of collagen type 1a1 (col1a1), col3a1, α-SMA, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were examined by ELISA. Also, the effects of KLF2 on activator protein-1 (AP-1) were evaluated by measuring the c-Jun and c-Fos protein levels. We found that KLF2 was remarkably downregulated in BLM-treated rats, both in mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, overexpression of KLF2 attenuated the destruction of the alveolar space and pulmonary interstitial collagen hyperplasia, and deposition reduced the expression of col1a1, col3a1, and α-SMA, and blocked the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in BALF and lung tissue in vivo. Moreover, adenoviral transduction of KLF2 inhibited TGF-β1-induced expression of col1a1, col3a1, and α-SMA in vitro. Mechanically, BLM up-regulated c-Jun and c-Fos expression, which was impeded by KLF2 overexpression. Taken together, our data indicate that KLF2 attenuates pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation, possibly through the regulation of AP-1.

• OSTI ID: 23100645
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 495; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BLEOMYCIN
HEMATOXYLIN
HYDROXYPROLINE
INFLAMMATION
LUNGS
LYMPHOKINES
MESSENGER-RNA
PNEUMONIA
RATS