The contribution of transforming growth factor-β and epidermal growth factor signalling to airway remodelling in chronic asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by recurrent respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. Airway remodelling is the general description for the thickening and restructuring of the airways seen in asthma patients (fig. 1⇓ and 2⇓). The characteristics of airway remodelling include subepithelial fibrosis, myofibroblast hyperplasia, myocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy, together with epithelial damage, goblet cell metaplasia, oedema 1 and increased vascularity. Mathematical models suggest that the remodelling and thickening observed in the airway of asthmatic subjects will enhance airway narrowing in response to bronchospasm during an asthma attack 2, 3. Remodelling is also considered to be responsible for the more rapid decline in lung function over time experienced in the asthmatic compared with the nonasthmatic population 4. Furthermore, it has been reported that airway hyperresponsiveness is associated with features of both remodelling and airway inflammation 5.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 1—

Transmission electron micrographs showing a) normal, b) mild and c) severe asthma airway epithelia. The epithelium is frequently damaged in asthmatic airways, revealing denuded areas where the basal cells are exposed (c). b) shows an increase in goblet cells in the epithelial layer. Transmission electron micrographs b) and c) of the asthmatic airway show thickening of the lamina reticularis. b: Basal cell, c: columnar epithelial cells, f: (myo)fibroblast, lr: lamina reticularis, m: mast cell, s: secretory goblet cells. Reprinted with permission from 6.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 2—

An increase in smooth muscle mass and thickening of the lamina reticularis are phenomena frequently observed in asthmatic airways as a result of remodelling. Reprinted with permission from 7.

This review initially discusses the current findings in the field of remodelling in asthma. Recognising the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β as a central mediator of tissue fibrosis and structural remodelling, the mode of action and cell type-specific effects of TGF-β will then be discussed, with a view to understanding the advantages and disadvantages behind the application of anti-TGF-β therapies in the clinic. The review will continue by describing how the ultimate balance of growth factors in the lung can alter the delicate equilibrium that determines whether the epithelium has the capacity to repair after insult without triggering uncontrolled fibrosis. This will focus on the relationship between TGF-β and members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand family, both of which show dysregulation in asthma. These growth factors are not only connected historically, as TGF-α and TGF-β were originally co-purified as “transforming growth factor” on the basis of anchorage-independent growth assays 8, but also demonstrate many archetypal properties as regulators of epithelial and mesenchymal cell behaviour.

AIRWAY REMODELLING IN ASTHMA

THE EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TROPHIC UNIT

In order to help explain some of the structural changes that occur in asthmatic airways, it has been proposed that the epithelium and the underlying fibroblasts communicate through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, effectively forming the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit. The epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit functions during development and is crucial to the process of branching morphogenesis. It is postulated that reactivation of developmental pathways contributes to the structural alterations of airways in asthma 33. Thus, it is proposed that, in asthma, epithelial susceptibility to injury and repair of the wounded bronchial epithelium leads to perpetuation of a chronic inflammatory cycle 33. During exacerbations, activated inflammatory cells interact with the epithelium to produce an array of T-helper cell type-2 cytokines and chemokines. As well as having a protective role, the inflammatory cells can have a detrimental effect by causing further damage to the epithelium through the release of free radicals and proteases.

The epithelium can also communicate with the underlying mesenchyme (fig. 3⇓). TGF-β is released from damaged epithelial cells 34 and can mediate its effects by interacting with TGF-β receptors on fibroblasts. This interaction can promote the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are more biosynthetic in nature and can synthesise and release an array of growth factors and cytokines, resulting in remodelling of the airways and continuation of the chronic inflammatory events. This is amplified by release of various factors, such as endothelin-1, a mitogen for smooth muscle, eotaxin, a chemoattractant for eosinophils and vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic factor that promotes the growth of new blood vessels 35, 36.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 3—

The epithelium and the mesenchyme can communicate in asthmatic airways due to the release of soluble growth factors. The epithelium can release pro-inflammatory and profibrogenic growth factors that can mediate remodelling and perpetuate the chronic inflammatory cycle. Activated fibroblasts can in turn release factors that promote inflammation as well as remodelling processes, such as smooth muscle hyperplasia and angiogenesis. It is postulated that the remodelling and inflammation attenuate the normal repair of the damaged epithelium and ultimately lead to the development of asthma. Modified from 37. EGF: epidermal growth factor; TGF-β: transforming growth factor-β; ET-1: endothelin-1; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor.

EGF receptor (EGFR) ligands can also be released from epithelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. EGFR ligands can promote either proliferation or differentiation. It is proposed that ligands of the EGF family are released from the damaged epithelium and cause the proliferation of the underlying mesenchymal cells, as demonstrated in TGF-α transgene mice 38.

REMODELLING IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA

The chronology of events leading to the onset of disease is currently a subject of much discussion. It is widely accepted that susceptible subjects go on to develop atopic asthma after sensitisation to a particular allergen. The precise initiation of remodelling events in the airways is less certain, although recent studies suggest that remodelling (or pre-modelling) may be an early event in the aetiology of disease linked to the function of the epithelial-mesenchymal trophic unit 39. Indeed, the impact of remodelling may be greater during the childhood years, as children’s lungs grow rapidly in the first few years of life.

In addition to the more complex ethical issues surrounding bronchoscopies performed on children, it is often very difficult to differentiate between wheeze induced by viral infections and bronchial asthma in the preschool child. In the studies that have been carried out in paediatric asthma, it appears that a number of phenomena associated with remodelling are present at an early age. For example, Cokugras et al. 40 studied biopsy samples from 10 children with moderate asthma and demonstrated thickening and hyalinisation of the sub-basement membrane region in nine patients. Although eosinophils were present in only one sample, 60% had degranulating mast cells in the submucosa. Najafi et al. 41 performed BAL on 39 newly diagnosed wheezy children. The study found that children >2 yrs of age had larger amounts of ciliated columnar and goblet cells in the BAL fluid compared with older children, suggesting acute inflammation of the airways early in life. A study comparing the degree of remodelling in asthmatic children prescribed with 1,600 µg·day⁻¹ of an inhaled steroid to adult asthmatics revealed that lamina reticularis thickening is present in children with difficult asthma at a similar level to that observed in biopsies obtained from adult asthmatic subjects 42. However, there was no association with age, symptom duration, lung function, or concurrent eosinophilic airway inflammation. In a separate study, Federov et al. 39 showed thickening of the lamina reticularis in asthmatic biopsies with increased deposition of collagen III. As in adults, there was an asthma-related increase in epithelial EGFR and this correlated with the thickness of the lamina reticularis, suggesting a link between subepithelial fibrosis and epithelial damage and/or activation 39.

IS REMODELLING POSITIVELY CORRELATED TO DISEASE SEVERITY?

The majority of studies carried out to compare the effect of disease severity suggest that tissue remodelling is more advanced in subjects with severe asthma. Harmanci et al. 43 demonstrated that bronchial wall thickening was more prominent with increased severity, decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) values and the duration of asthma. The submucosa of asthmatic subjects contained more blood vessels; this also correlated with the severity of the disease 44.

Benayoun et al. 27 revealed that mucosal eosinophilia, neutrophilia, epithelial damage and subepithelial basement membrane thickness were not related to disease severity. However, a number of observations distinguished patients with severe persistent asthma from patients with milder disease. These included increased numbers of fibroblasts, larger areas of mucous gland and smooth muscle, smooth muscle hypertrophy, increased collagen type III deposition, and higher myosin light-chain kinase expression. Chakir et al. 45 described an association between disease severity and collagen deposition. In contrast, Chu et al. 24 found no identifiable differences in collagen deposition or TGF-β expressing cells in the large airways of mild when compared with severe asthmatics.

REVERSIBILITY OF REMODELLING?

Airway remodelling has been considered to be an irreversible process, although there is evidence to suggest that early use of corticosteroids can delay or even reverse the structural changes 46. A 5-yr follow-up study comparing subjects treated with corticosteroid early in the course of their disease to a delayed treatment group showed that early use of corticosteroids (budesonide) significantly improved lung function and increased exercise tolerance. Furthermore, the early treatment group used reliever medication less, had fewer exacerbations and, after 5 yrs, 17% were able to stop using budesonide when compared with 3% in the delayed treatment group 47. Furthermore, in a randomised, double-blind clinical trial of 7,241 patients in 32 countries performed by the START (Steroid Treatment As Regular Therapy) investigators group 48, treatment with budesonide (in addition to their usual asthma medication) in patients who had mild persistent asthma for ≤2 yrs had fewer courses of systematic steroids and more symptom-free days than those on placebo. FEV₁ readings, pre- and post-bronchodilator, from patients taking budesonide (400 μg for adults, 200 μg for children aged 5–11 yrs) were significantly increased after 3 yrs. Although the outcomes of the study were beneficial to the patients, it was noted that growth over 3 yrs was suppressed by 1.34 cm in children aged >11 yrs in the treatment group.

A number of studies have directly examined the effect of corticosteroids on remodelling by performing bronchoscopies. A study carried out by Sont et al. 49 showed that subjects treated with corticosteroids over a period of 2 yrs experienced a lower rate of mild exacerbations, an improved FEV₁ and a reduction in the thickness of the subepithelial layer compared with the control group. In a double-blind study of 28 asthmatic subjects, Hoshino et al. 50 demonstrated that treatment with the inhaled steroid beclomethasone dipropionate significantly reduced the vessel number and vascularity in the airways of steroid treated patients. Further study showed that biopsy samples taken before and after treatment with an inhaled steroid revealed a decrease in inflammatory cells and a reduced amount of epithelial damage after 10 yrs, although bronchial hyperresponsiveness remained the same 51. The majority of investigations carried out do suggest that early and prolonged use of corticosteroids can provide some improvement in lung function and may minimise some of the remodelling events, although it should be remembered that long-term use of corticosteroids can in itself bring about other adverse effects, such as adrenal suppression and arterial hypertension. Furthermore, the absence of an effect of corticosteroids on bronchial hyperresponsiveness suggests that some of the underlying structural changes and/or disease mechanisms are poorly responsive to the effects of corticosteroids.

INCREASED DEPOSITION OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX

The ECM is a complex network of secreted polysaccharides and proteins that creates a microenvironment which has the capacity to influence the behaviour of cells in very distinct, as well as cooperative, ways. Thus, in addition to forming a scaffold on which tissues are organised, ECM molecules, such as proteoglycans, can modify the binding of cytokines to their cell surface receptors, or they can lead to the storage of the soluble factors in the matrix. This is particularly important in the case of TGF-β, which can be sequestered by a number of different binding proteins, including decorin, biglycan, type IV collagen, fibronectin and elastin 52.

In asthma, there is an altered profile of ECM proteins present in the submucosal layer below the lamina reticularis. It is proposed that this is due not only to the increased number of synthetic cells present, but also due to differences in the degradation of the existing proteins. The “true” basement membrane in asthma contains less collagen IV than normal, although the submucosa of asthmatic airways contains more collagen I, III and V 28, 31, 45, 53. Additionally, the orientation and fibre thickness of collagen I appears to be altered in asthmatics 23, 54. Dube et al. 55 suggested that differences in collagen expression were due to post-translational modifications, as baseline procollagen production was not found to differ between nonasthmatic and asthmatic fibroblasts.

There are a number of reports demonstrating increased levels of ECM proteins in the submucosa of asthmatics. For example, tenascin 56, lumican, biglycan and versican 57 are all present at elevated levels in the submucosa of asthmatic subjects. Westergren-Thorsson 58 reported that subjects with the most hyperresponsive airways produced up to four-fold more total proteoglycan than subjects with less responsive airways. Laminin β₂ and α₁ staining 59 was also higher in biopsies from asthmatic subjects. Elastin fibres are needed to maintain bronchial patency and contribute to the elastic recoil of the lungs. Bousquet et al. 60 reported that biopsy samples from asthmatics showed altered elastin staining. In addition, Vignola et al. 61 showed that the enzyme responsible for elastin degradation, elastase, was increased in sputum samples from asthmatics compared with healthy controls. Apart from elastin degradation, it is proposed that neutrophil elastase can also act as a smooth muscle mitogen 62 and promotes mucin gene expression by cleavage of EGF receptor ligands 63.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were first recognised for their ability to degrade many ECM proteins, including collagens, fibronectin, laminin, proteoglycans and elastin. However, it is now clear that MMP activity also causes the release of cryptic information from the ECM by cleaving large insoluble ECM components to liberate bioactive fragments and growth factors that can have marked effects on cell behaviour. Thus, in combination with proteases, the ECM is a dynamic environment, where small changes in levels of MMPs and other enzymes may alter the equilibrium of a range of bioactive proteins in the submucosal layer.

An altered expression profile of ECM-degrading enzymes has been reported in asthma. For example, asthmatic bronchial fibroblasts produce less MMP-3 (stromolysin) than normal fibroblasts 64. Laliberté et al. 65 demonstrated that baseline MMP-2 (gelatinase A) secretion was lower in asthmatic fibroblasts when compared with those from normal airways. The group also showed that asthmatic fibroblasts displayed a decreased capacity to degrade collagen by phagocytosis.

MMP-9 (gelatinase B), a metalloproteinase responsible for cleaving collagen IV and degrading denatured collagen, is reportedly expressed at higher levels in eosinophils isolated from asthmatics compared with nonasthmatics 66. A significant increase in both the level of circulating MMP-9 67 and its activity in BAL fluid 68 was also seen in patients after exacerbation compared with patients with asthma. Additionally, MMP-9 staining in the subepithelial basement membrane region was reportedly higher in severe asthmatic biopsies than in control subjects 69. These findings may account for the decreased expression of collagen IV in the basement membrane of asthmatic subjects.

Tissue-specific inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) can inhibit activation of the MMPs by binding an MMP in a 1:1 stoichiometric fashion. Laliberte et al. 65 hypothesised that a compromised balance between TIMP-1 and MMP-1 levels may be responsible for the increase in collagen deposition observed in asthmatic airways. Indeed, TIMP-1 mRNA and protein levels were elevated in asthmatic alveolar macrophages isolated from BAL fluid, a finding demonstrated by Ohno et al. 66. Additionally, Cataldo et al. 70 reported that MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels were increased at the mRNA level in induced sputum from asthmatic subjects compared with nonasthmatics. Recent studies using computed tomography have linked induced sputum MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios to thickening of the airway wall in asthmatics 71, 72.

The A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) family of proteins belongs to the metzincin subgroup of zinc-dependent proteases; it encompasses a large number of proteins, 40 to date 73, although only 23 are expressed in humans. ADAM9, −10, −15 and −17 are ubiquitously expressed in human tissue, whilst the majority of the ADAMs display restricted expression in the testis and are involved in spermatogenesis and egg fertilisation.

Approximately half of the ADAM family contains a zinc-binding consensus motif in their metalloprotease domain; this is essential for enzymatic activity. In regard to the processing of EGFR ligands, ADAM9, −10, −12, −17 and −19 have all been reported to play a role in pro-growth factor cleavage. Proteolytic ADAM activity can be inhibited in vivo by TIMPs. For example, TIMP-3 can inhibit ADAM17 74 and ADAM12 75, whilst ADAM10 activity can be inhibited by both TIMP-1 and TIMP-3 74.

Using positional cloning, the 33rd member of the ADAM family has been linked to asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness 76. ADAM33 contains a zinc-binding consensus sequence in its metalloprotease domain 77, which has been shown to be catalytically active in an α₂-macroglobulin complex formation assay 78. Expression of the purified metalloprotease domain in Drosophila S2 cells also showed that the domain has some functional activity, although Zou et al. 79 reported cleavage of only four synthetic peptides. While the metalloprotease activity of ADAM33 represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention, the only single nucleotide polymorphism that has been identified that could cause a coding change within the metalloprotease domain has a weak association with bronchial hyperresponsiveness 76. Furthermore, Powell et al. 80 have reported that the metalloprotease domain is spliced out over 95% of transcripts in bronchial fibroblasts, suggesting that other domains of ADAM33 play important functional roles. Similarly, in bronchial biopsies, transcripts encoding the metalloprotease domain are of low abundance and there is no clear disease-related difference in ADAM33 expression 81. These data suggest that simple up- or downregulation of ADAM33 is unlikely to explain its contribution to the development of asthma. A more likely explanation is that polymorphic variation in ADAM33 may have functional effects, possibly by affecting its regulation within the cell. Ongoing work in the field should hopefully reveal its role in asthma pathogenesis. In this context, it is noteworthy that ADAM33 is selectively expressed in mesenchymal cells 76, strongly implicating it in airway remodelling. Consistent with this proposal, a rare allele of the S_2 polymorphism of ADAM33 is significantly associated with excessive decline in FEV₁ in asthmatic subjects 82 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients 83. Furthermore, in a prospective birth cohort study, polymorphisms in ADAM33 predict impaired early-life lung function 84.

TGF-β SIGNALLING AND ITS ROLE IN ASTHMA

In asthma, it has been hypothesised that an enhanced expression of TGF-β in the airways may have far reaching effects in the pathophysiology of the disease. TGF-β released from inflammatory cells, the epithelium and (myo)fibroblasts can promote remodelling by inducing expression of a wide range of ECM components. Although TGF-β is anti-inflammatory (for a recent review see 85) and can promote cellular migration 86, an excess of TGF-β can inhibit subsequent epithelial cell proliferation that is required during early wound healing. The net result of excessive TGF-β in the airways in asthma may explain many of the morphological changes that occur in airway remodelling (fig. 4⇓).

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 4—

Studies have revealed that there is an increased expression and release of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in asthmatic airways. TGF-β is released from the epithelium, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and inflammatory cells, and is proposed to have a major role in the fibrosis associated with airway remodelling.

More than 30 members of the TGF-β superfamily have been identified 87. The superfamily is divided into four main families: 1) TGF-β family; 2) bone morphogenetic (BMP) family; 3) inhibin/activin family; and 4) the Müllerian-inhibiting substance family. There are three TGF-β isoforms identified in mammals, namely TGF-β₁, -β₂ and -β₃. It should be noted that, for much of the early work on TGF-β, it would not have been possible to distinguish which isoform of TGF-β was responsible for the observed effect, hence these studies refer simply to TGF-β. Although TGF-β was first isolated and characterised from human platelets 88, it is produced by most cell types, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle, epithelial and inflammatory cells.

TGF-β is encoded as a biologically inactive large precursor peptide termed pre-pro-TGF-β. Endopeptidases catalyse the cleavage of the precursor molecule, yielding the mature 25 kDa protein. The mature TGF-β dimerises and associates noncovalently with latency associated peptide, the precursor cleavage product, to form small latent TGF-β. TGF-β is secreted from the cell as either small latent TGF-β or, more often, as large latent TGF-β (small latent TGF-β bound to latent TGF-β binding protein). TGF-β can then be rapidly sequestered by a number of different binding proteins, including decorin, biglycan, type IV collagen, fibronectin and elastin 52. The binding protein also has the ability to bind to sites in the ECM 89.

The mechanism by which latent TGF-β is activated in vivo remains elusive, although a number of molecules have been implicated in vitro. TGF-β can be activated by thrombospondin, which binds to latency-associated peptide and induces a conformational change 90, 91. Plasmin, low-dose radiation, low pH, reactive oxygen species 92 and nitric oxide nitrosylation 93 have all been suggested to play a role in TGF-β activation.

TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-β RECEPTORS

There are six types of TGF-β receptor (RI–VI). Most of the information in the literature concerns RI, RII and RIII. TGF-β RIV 94 and RVI 95 bind TGF-β, but are not known to propagate downstream signalling. TGF-β RV is a serine/threonine kinase like RI and RII, and further investigation may reveal its importance in controlling downstream signalling events 96. Betaglycan and endoglin comprise the two types of TGF-β RIII. Endoglin is expressed only on endothelial and myeloid cells. Betaglycan is expressed on most cell types and has a variable molecular weight due to the heparan sulphate and glycosaminoglycan chains attached to it. The receptor is responsible for binding TGF-β and presenting the ligand to the type II receptor. This enables the local concentration of ligand to be increased and may also have a role in stabilising TGF-β in the optimal conformation for binding to the type II receptors. TGF-β₂ has a weak affinity for the type II receptor alone and can only signal via interaction with betaglycan 97 where the short cytoplasmic tail of the receptor acts to enhance TGF-β₂ signalling. In contrast, TGF-β₁ can signal directly through TGF-β RII.

The type II receptor is a 70 kDa constitutively active serine/threonine kinase. Upon ligand binding, the receptor recruits and phosphorylates the type I receptor in the GS domain and juxtamembrane regions. Whilst the type II receptor can bind TGF-β₁ independently of betaglycan, recruitment of the type I receptor is still required for downstream signalling. The type I receptor is a 55 kDa protein, responsible for downstream signalling via a cascade of Smad proteins. There are seven type I receptors. ALK-1 (mainly associated with endothelial cells) and ALK-5 are type I receptors for TGF-β 98, ALK-4 is the receptor for activin and ALK-2, -3 and -6 are receptors for the BMPs 99, 100. TGF-β receptor-associated protein 1 binds to the inactive type I receptor but is released when the receptor is activated by ligand binding 101. The activated receptor complex is a heteromeric complex consisting of two type II and two type I receptors (fig. 5⇓).

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 5—

Scheme showing steps involved in forming the activated transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor complex. Betaglycan (TGF-β RIII) binds TGF-β₂, enhancing the affinity of the growth factor for TGF- βRII. Once bound, TGF-β RII recruits and phosphorylates TGF-β RI, thus promoting downstream signalling. TRAP-1: tumour necrosis factor-associated protein 1.

DOWNSTREAM SIGNALLING

TGF-β mediates intracellular signalling via the “Smad” proteins. Mad was the first member of the Smad family to be identified in Drosophila. Its discovery led to the identification of Mad homologues in Caenorhabditis elegans; these were named Sma-2, -3 and -4 because of their small size. Smad (Smad/Mad-related) proteins were later identified as TGF-β signalling molecules in vertebrates (fig. 6⇓). Receptor Smads, i.e. Smad-2 and -3, reside in the cytoplasm in their inactivated state. Smad-2 exists as a monomer due to a structural element in the MH1 domain that inhibits protein–protein interactions in the basal state. Smad-3 has multiple oligomeric states and Smad-4 most likely exists as a trimer 102. The Smads are serine phosphorylated by the type I receptor after ligand-dependent activation. The interaction of the Smad anchor for activation protein 103 with the receptor allows interaction with Smad-2 and Smad-3. Smad-2 signalling is dependent upon the Smad anchor for activation but the Smad 3/Smad anchor for activation interaction is not required for downstream signalling 104. The phosphorylated receptor Smads bind Smad-4 (a co-Smad), and the complex translocates to the nucleus. There is evidence to suggest that TGF-β receptor-associated protein 1 interacts with Smad-4 (fig. 6⇓) and may act as a chaperone protein 105.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 6—

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β can signal via Smads or a mitogen-activated protein MAP kinase-like pathway, resulting in transcription of target genes. Nuclear transcription of target genes occurs either by Smads binding directly to Smad-binding elements of target genes or by functional co-operation with transcription factors, such as fork-head activin signal transducer 1 (FAST-1). Phosphorylation changes are only indicated on the Smad pathway for ease of interpretation. MEK: MAP kinase kinase; ERK2: extracellular-regulated protein kinase 2; MKK4: MAP kinase kinase 4; JNK1: Jun N-terminal kinase 1; TAK1: TGF-β-activated kinase 1; TAB1: TAK1-binding protein; SARA: Smad anchor for activation; Smad: TGF-β signalling molecules.

The Smads can bind directly to the Smad-binding element of various genes, such as junB, c-jun and immunoglobulin (Ig) A 106, 107; they can also mediate gene transcription via functional co-operation with other transcription factors, such as FAST-1 108. TGF-β-activated Smad-2 and -3 can also bind to co-repressors, e.g. cAMP response element-binding (CREB)-binding protein and p300, which can in turn interact with transcription factors to modify gene transcription 109. Hocevar et al. 110 described Smad-4 independent activation of TGF-β with resultant induction of fibronectin synthesis. The mechanism involves TGF-β activation of mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 4, which activates Jun N-terminal kinase 1; this in turn phosphorylates c-jun, promoting the formation of the c-jun-ATF 2 heterodimer. These heterodimers can bind to cAMP-response elements in the fibronectin promoter and thus promote fibronectin synthesis.

There are other possible pathways by which TGF-β receptors can transmit signals. Protein farnesyltransferase-α 111 and FK506 binding protein-12 (FKBP-12) 112 have both been shown to bind to the TGF-β receptors, although FKBP-12 might act as a negative regulator of TGF-β receptor endocytosis 113. It is also possible that a MAPK-like pathway is involved in the propagation of signals from the membrane to the nucleus, via TAB1 and TAK1 (MAPK kinases) 114, 115.

REGULATION OF TGF-β SIGNALLING

After ligand binding, a process of endocytosis typically downregulates growth factor receptors. In fibroblasts, heteromeric TGF-β receptors are internalised whereas homomeric receptors are recycled back to the membrane 116, 117. The diversity of TGF-β signalling is controlled in part by the residues phosphorylated on the receptor in response to ligand stimulation. Saitoh et al. 118 observed that serine 172 and threonine 176 of TGF-β RI are dispensable for ECM protein production but essential to epithelial growth inhibition mediated by TGF-β. Luo and Lodish 119 demonstrated that autophosphorylation of serine 213 on TGF-β RII is essential for activation of the TGF-β RII kinase, activation of TGF-β RI and TGF-β-induced growth inhibition.

There are two mammalian antagonistic Smads, Smad-6 and Smad-7, which can inhibit BMP signalling; TGF-β signalling can be inhibited by Smad-7. Smad-6 inhibits BMP/Smad-1 signalling by competing with Smad-4, forming a Smad-1/Smad-6 inactive complex 120. Smad-7 acts as an antagonist of TGF-β RI 121 and is induced by TGF-β. Conversely, EGF can induce the mRNA levels of Smad-7, providing evidence of cross-talk between the pathways 122. Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) stabilises the association between the type I receptor and Smad-7, preventing the receptors association with Smad-2 or -3 and thus preventing signalling 123.

Another form of negative regulation of Smads is by the interaction with MAPK. The linker region between the MH1 and MH2 domain of the receptor Smads can be phosphorylated, which prevents the Smad-2/Smad-4 complex from entering the nucleus and eliciting gene transcription. There are also a number of inhibitory transcription factors, such as Evi-1 124, c-ski 125 and SnoN 126, which can prevent activated Smads from binding to Smad-binding elements on DNA. Transforming growth- interacting factor is an example of a co-repressor that can compete with p300 for Smad-2 association, preventing TGF-β-mediated signalling 127.

TGF-β AND THE EPITHELIUM

TGF-β1 regulates the migratory phase of epithelial repair. Boland et al. 128 reported that 1–10 ng·mL⁻¹ TGF-β₁ inhibited the proliferation of primary epithelial tracheal cells but enhanced cell migration. TGF-β also induced cell spreading, reduced the number of cell–cell contacts and increased cell-substratum anchorage, thus favouring a migratory phenotype. Furthermore, Howat et al. 129 showed that TGF-β₁, but not TGF-β₂, could progressively increase the migration of damaged bronchial epithelial monolayers at concentrations down to 250 pg·mL⁻¹.

TGF-β₁ can inhibit cell proliferation of epithelial cells by a number of different mechanisms involving the downregulation of c-myc 130, and the upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p15INK4B, p21waf1 and p27kip1 131. p21waf1 is over-expressed in asthmatic epithelium, which is strongly suggestive of cell stress and growth arrest 16.

TGF-β, FIBROBLAST AND MYOFIBROBLASTS

Fibroblasts comprise the major structural cell in the mesenchyme in its resting state. Quiescent fibroblasts are involved in the baseline secretion of proteins, such as collagen, contributing to the normal turnover of ECM in the airways. Upon insult to the tissue, fibroblasts become activated and capable of migrating to the site of injury. In order to carry out this function, the fibroblasts secrete collagen and fibronectin fibrils to enable orientation of the cell, thus creating both a migratory meshwork as well as lines of stress and mechanical tension.

Myofibroblasts are generally viewed as morphological intermediates of fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. They are the predominant cell type found in wound granulation tissue, but they play a major role in fibroproliferative diseases when unregulated. Myofibroblasts are more biosynthetic in nature than the fibroblasts and are capable, due to activation of myosin light chain kinase and Rho kinase, of both rapid contraction and a more sustained contraction, respectively. In vivo, the myofibroblast is a transient cell type and is normally activated upon connective tissue injury. A combination of TGF-β₁ and extra domain A fibronectin 132–134 induces the transformation of proto-myofibroblasts into myofibroblasts (fig. 7⇓). TGF-β induces α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and smooth muscle protein 22-α (SM22α) via interactions with the TGF-β controlling element and two serum response element regions in the αSMA promoter of fibroblasts 135. Thannickal et al. 136 reported that expression of a stable myofibroblast phenotype is dependent upon both TGF-β- and adhesion-dependent signals. Inhibition of TGF-β₁-induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase on tyrosine 397, a cell adhesion-dependent event, resulted in inhibition of αSMA expression. TGF-β₁ was found to increase integrins α₄, α₅ and β₁ as well as fibronectin in human lung fibroblasts. The authors proposed that TGF-β-induced fibroblast differentiation occurs via a Smad-mediated, adhesion-independent signalling pathway followed by a delayed adhesion-dependent pathway involving focal adhesions that are essential for maintenance of the phenotype. Studies of wound healing suggest that myofibroblast disappearance occurs via apoptosis 137. TGF-β promotes the transformation from fibroblast to myofibroblast as well as enhancing the survival of myofibroblasts by inhibiting interleukin (IL)-1β-induced apoptosis 138.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Fig. 7—

Although the established dogma describes fibroblasts transforming into myofibroblasts under the influence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, there are reports of other precursor cells and a number of other inducers of the myofibroblast phenotype. There is also some evidence to suggest that myofibroblasts may act as smooth muscle precursors. ED-A: extra domain A; SOD: superoxide dismutase; IFN-γ: interferon-γ; PGE₂: prostaglandin E2; ET-1: endothelin-1.

The cytokines IL-4 and -13 have been reported to induce the myofibroblastic phenotype in a time- and dose-dependent manner 139, 140. However, Richter et al. 35 demonstrated that IL-4 and -13 were relatively ineffective in promoting myofibroblast transformation directly, although transformation was effective through IL-4 or -13-mediated TGF-β₂ release from epithelial cells 35. In vivo, the myofibroblast is only present transiently. Vozenin-Brotons et al. 141 reported that addition of superoxide dismutase to porcine dermal myofibroblasts reduced the levels of αSMA and collagen production, an event not associated with an increase in cell death. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been implicated in preventing the generation of myofibroblasts and can also moderately inhibit the production of αSMA in TGF-β-induced myofibroblasts 142, 143. Prostaglandin E₂, signalling via E prostanoid receptor 2, has also been reported to prevent the TGF-β-induced fibroblast undergoing myofibroblast transition in primary foetal and adult lung fibroblasts 144.

The accepted view is that myofibroblasts are derived from fibroblasts. A recent study, however, has identified another potential source of myofibroblasts. Schmidt et al. 145 suggest that bronchial myofibroblasts can originate from fibrocytes, blood-borne cells that can home to sites of tissue damage (fig. 7⇑). These cells are CD34+, express both collagen I and αSMA, and localise to areas of collagen deposition below the epithelium. By tracking labelled circulating fibrocytes in a mouse model of allergic asthma, the authors showed that fibrocytes are recruited into the bronchial tissue following allergen exposure and differentiate into myofibroblasts.

The potential involvement of fibrocytes in airway remodelling in asthma has been further highlighted in a study by Larsen et al. 146 who found activated and mobile fibroblasts in BAL fluid of subjects with mild asthma.

In addition to induction of myofibroblast differentiation and deposition of ECM proteins, TGF-β also has a role in fibroblast proliferation. TGF-β has been reported to have different effects on the proliferation of fibroblasts Dube et al. 55 reported that TGF-β₁ had no significant effect on bronchial fibroblast proliferation. Kay et al. 147 reported that corneal stromal fibroblasts produce fibroblast growth factor-2 in response to TGF-β, and this is suggested to be a direct stimulator for TGF-β-mediated cell proliferation. It was further reported by Thannickal et al. 148 that TGF-β₁ (2 ng·mL⁻¹) upregulated fibroblast growth factor R-1 and -2 in a time-dependent manner, thus contributing to the proliferative response. McAnulty et al. 149 also demonstrated that TGF-β (5 pg·mL⁻¹) could stimulate fibroblast proliferation.

TGF-β-treated fibroblasts also have indirect effects on inflammation by releasing a number of chemoattractants. For example, release of eotaxin in response to TGF-β and IL-13 can act as a chemoattractant for eosinophils 150. TGF-β-induced CCL-2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) acts as a chemoattractant for monocytes 151. TGF-β is also reported to induce fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis patients to induce CXCL-8 (IL-8), a neutrophil attractant, and CCL-3 (macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α) mRNA which can recruit monocytes, macrophages and T-cells 152.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TGF-β AND AIRWAY SMOOTH MUSCLE

Smooth muscle is primarily under the control of the autonomic nervous system and can develop an isometric force per cross-sectional area equal to skeletal muscle, although the speed of contraction is much slower than skeletal muscle. Airway smooth muscle plays a major role in the pathophysiology of a number of airway diseases, including asthma. As described previously, the smooth muscle layer in asthma is significantly increased in size due to hyperplasia and possibly hypertrophy. In addition to its role as regulator of bronchomotor tone, smooth muscle can also secrete cytokines and growth factors, thus contributing to the inflammation and remodelling of the airways.

It has been proposed that TGF-β₁ and TGF-β₂ are responsible for the conversion of myofibroblasts into smooth muscle cells (fig. 7⇑). Microarray analysis of foetal lung fibroblasts have shown that TGF-β can induce expression of a number of smooth muscle-specific genes, including smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, basic calponin and smoothelin 153. However, expression of some of these genes appears to be further regulated at the translational level 154. Furthermore, there is evidence that rabbit bladder myofibroblasts are able to transform into smooth muscle cells after treatment with TGF-β for 21 days 155. The smooth muscle transition has also been reported to occur independently of TGF-β. For example, a study by Jones and Jacobson 156 identified interstitial rat lung fibroblasts as the source of perivascular smooth muscle cells in response to low oxygen levels.

It is possible that the role of TGF-β is to induce the expression of smooth muscle mitogens, such as endothelin-1 35, and thus play a more indirect role in smooth muscle differentiation. Alternatively, Yeh et al. 157 demonstrated that adult peripheral blood CD34+ cells can transdifferentiate into smooth muscle cells in vivo, and that this is augmented significantly by local tissue injury.

ROLE OF TGF-β AND EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX FORMATION

Activated smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts can release ECM proteins in response to TGF-β. For example, TGF-β induces α₁ collagen I mRNA and α₂ collagen protein in human lung fibroblasts 158. Eickelberg et al. 159 showed that the percentage of collagen deposited in the ECM was higher in TGF-β₁-treated human lung fibroblasts compared with controls. TGF-β₁ has also been shown to stabilise tropoelastin mRNA in human foetal lung fibroblasts 160.

TGF-β also has indirect effects through the upregulation of inhibitors of ECM proteases, such as plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 161, TIMP-1 162 and TIMP-3, 163, and the downregulation of degrading ECM proteases, such as interstitial collagenase 164.

INVOLVEMENT OF TGF-β IN ASTHMA

Increased TGF-β immunoreactivity is found in mucosal bronchial biopsies from asthmatic subjects compared with controls 165, 166. Indeed, a significant correlation has been found between the number of epithelial or submucosal cells expressing TGF-β in asthma and the thickness of the basement membrane and fibroblast number. Elevated phosphorylated Smad-2 levels have been demonstrated in bronchial biopsies obtained from asthmatic subjects 167, indicating that TGF-β signalling downstream from the receptor is also enhanced in asthma.

Chu et al. 168 reported that unstimulated bronchial epithelial cells express five times more TGF-β₂ than TGF-β₁. Although no differences in TGF-β₁ expression were observed between normal and asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells, there were significantly higher amounts of TGF-β₂ protein in asthmatic compared with normal epithelial cells. TGF-β₂ was shown to induce MUC5AC mRNA and protein in vitro, although interestingly TGF-β₁ did not induce mucin expression.

TGF-β₁ is released in higher amounts in basal and allergen-challenged sites in the BAL fluid of asthmatic patients 169 than in controls 170. Although TGF-β₁ levels are raised in the plasma of nonatopic asthmatics, this is not seen in atopic asthma 171. TGF-β₁ levels are also increased in eosinophils from severe asthmatics at the mRNA level 172, 173. Recently, Balzar et al. 174 reported that there were more TGF-β₂ positive cells in endobronchial tissue biopsies from eosinophilic severe asthmatics. Furthermore, the tissue eosinophils from eosinophilic severe asthmatics constantly co-localised with the TGF-β₂-positive cells. Alveolar macrophages from asthmatic subjects also release greater amounts of TGF-β compared with control subjects 165.

TGF-β has been implicated as a key mediator in asthma, responsible for a number of remodelling events. Four polymorphisms of TGF-β have been identified. A single polymorphism (C/T at position −509) in the TGF-β₁ promoter has been linked to elevated TGF-β₁ plasma levels 175 and IgE levels 176. A later study by Silverman et al. 177 has revealed that the T allele of C-509T is associated with the diagnosis of asthma and may increase transcription by altering TGF-β promoter-reporter activity by interacting with the transcription factor Yin Yang 1. Pulleyn et al. 178 demonstrated that there is a greater relative frequency of homozygosity for this allele in severe asthmatics compared with a control group. Conversely, Buckova 179 showed that the polymorphism was not linked to elevated IgE levels in the Czech population.

A mouse model has been described where BALB/C mice were intratracheally instilled with either TGF-β₁ or buffered saline 180. An increase in collagen I and III mRNA was seen in the airways after 1 week and an increase in total collagen was detected after a month following TGF-β treatment. There was also a detectable increase in airway hyperreactivity in the growth factor-treated mice, thus highlighting the importance of TGF-β in the pathogenesis of remodelling.

TGF-β AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET

Due to the physical nature of TGF-β, mature growth factor is bound in close proximity to the cell, attached to binding proteins within the ECM. As a result, increased production of TGF-β will affect only those cells in the nearby vicinity.

Experiments on adult skin revealed that TGF-β mRNA is induced in response to wounding, whereas no upregulation was detected in human foetal skin under similar conditions. This explains why foetal wounds heal without the deposition of scar tissue. Shah et al. 181 demonstrated that treating dermal wounds in adult rats with a neutralising TGF-β antibody prevented the formation of scar tissue. In a later study, Shah et al. 182 showed that administration of anti-TGF-β₁ or anti-TGF-β₂ antibodies to wounds could increase wound-healing time and reduce scarring, as can addition of TGF-β3 directly to wounds. Anti-TGF-β₂ antibodies have also been utilised in the field of conjunctival scarring and significantly improved glaucoma filtration surgery outcome in animal models 183.

A number of small molecule inhibitors of the type I TGF-β receptor have been identified. For example, SB-431542 inhibits TGF-β₁-induced Smad-3 translocation to the nucleus, as well as inhibiting TGF-β₁-induced fibronectin mRNA and collagen Iα₁ induction in renal epithelial carcinoma A498 cells 184. More recently another type I TGF-β receptor, SB-505124, has been shown to display three to five times the potency of SB-431542 185 against ALK5, as well as concentration-dependently inhibiting the activity of ALK4 and ALK7.

A novel small compound, SMP-534, has been shown to reduce ECM production induced by TGF-β in normal rat kidney fibroblasts 186. SMP-534 selectively inhibited TGF-β-induced p38 MAPK activation, but did not inhibit EGF-induced extracellular regulated protein kinase-2 (ERK) activation. Encouragingly, in a rat anti-Thy-1 nephritis model, oral administration of SMP-534 dose-dependently lowered hydroxyproline levels in the cortex. SMP-534 or a similar drug may have a therapeutic benefit in the asthmatic lung, acting to reduce TGF-β-mediated fibrosis associated with airway remodelling without suppressing EGF-mediated restitution of the injured epithelium.

Inhibition of TGF-β signalling may be a beneficial target in asthma. In theory it would have far reaching effects in reducing remodelling by lifting the inhibition on epithelial proliferation, preventing myofibroblast transformation, repressing the proliferative effect on myofibroblasts and inhibiting the excessive production of ECM components. A potentially negative effect would be the alleviation of immunosuppression and thus the possible accentuation of inflammation. Epithelial cells release TGF-β in order to initiate cellular migration in the process of epithelial repair. Therefore, an inhibition of this process may be detrimental to airway remodelling.

MODULATION OF TGF-β AND DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS

Nogami et al. 187 reported that TGF-β₁ decreased the number of β-adrenoceptors on human tracheal smooth muscle cells. TGF-β treatment partially suppressed the β₂-agonist stimulated increase in cAMP, an observation that may explain the defective relaxation to β₂-agonists shown by some asthmatics. Ishikawa et al. 188 showed that IFN-γ could suppress this TGF-β response. Interestingly, mucosal adenoviral IFN-γ gene transfer can effectively attenuate established allergen-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in ovalbumin-sensitised mice 189, although human trials have not been so successful 190.

Glucocorticosteroids are the mainstay therapy for the majority of mild to severe, persistent asthmatic subjects. Glucocorticoids exert an anti-inflammatory effect, but can also have an anti-fibrotic action (for a review see Shukla et al. 191) by decreasing collagen synthesis. Dexamethasone, for example, has been shown to block TGF-β-induced collagen synthesis in rats 192. In a murine model of prolonged allergen challenge 193, budesonide was shown to regulate TGF-β signalling by reducing phospho-Smad-2 expression and increasing Smad-7 in lung tissue.

In human samples, Wen et al. 194 reported a significant inhibition of TGF-β₁ and TGF-β₂ production and a reduced expression of autoinduced TGF-β₁ and TGF-β₂ mRNA in response to glucocorticoid treatment in human foetal lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, flunisolide can decrease TGF-β and fibronectin release from mild-to-moderate asthmatic sputum cells cultured for 24 h 195.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potential target to combat the remodelling seen in asthma. CTGF is considered to be an immediate early gene for TGF-β 196. CTGF antisense constructs and neutralising antibodies have been reported to block the effect of TGF-β on fibroblast collagen production and proliferation 197–199. CTGF is also profibrogenic per se, for example, it can stimulate collagen I, fibronectin and α₅ integrin expression in NRK cells 200, as well as inducing lysyl oxidase and collagen in human gingival cells 201. Recently, it has been reported that the N-terminal domain of CTGF mediates myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis, while the C-terminal domain of CTGF regulates fibroblast proliferation 202.

In 2003, Burgess et al. 203 reported that the fold induction of CTGF in response to TGF-β was greatest in the airway smooth muscle cells isolated from asthmatic subjects, and that the induction occurred earlier, in comparison to nonasthmatic airway cells. A study by Kucich et al. 204 suggested the possible use of protein kinase C inhibitors in suppressing CTGF levels. Protein kinase C was found to phosphorylate Smad-3 directly, inhibiting its ability to bind DNA and enhance transcription.

Fu et al. 205 demonstrated that both the natural ligand (15-deoxyprostaglandin J 2) and a synthetic ligand (GW7845) for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) could significantly inhibit TGF-β-induced CTGF production in a dose-dependent manner in human airway smooth muscle cells. It was further reported that PPAR-γ could physically interact with Smad3, highlighting a potential mechanism of action for the ligand. More recent studies have shown that PPAR-γ ligands can prevent TGF-β₁-induced fibronectin in mesangial cells 206 and skin fibroblasts 207.

Ligands for PPAR-γ represent important anti-fibrotic targets, which potentially could be manipulated in asthma. For example, in a murine asthma model, ciglitazone, a synthetic PPAR-γ agonist used in the treatment of diabetes, inhibited a number of remodelling events 208. Specifically, ciglitazone nebulisation reduced mucus gland hyperplasia and airway occlusion caused by the mucus hypersecretion. Increases in collagen levels and basement membrane thickness were suppressed and TGF-β levels were decreased by 54%. Additionally, ciglitazone has been shown to decrease both eosinophil numbers and T-helper cell type-2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) levels in murine airways 209. Natural and synthetic ligands of PPAR-γ can also inhibit serum-induced smooth muscle proliferation more effectively than dexamethasone, as well as inhibiting the release of GM-CSF, a survival factor for leukocytes 210.

Interestingly, PPAR-γ expression is increased in the submucosa, smooth muscle layer and epithelium of bronchial tissue in asthmatics 211. Indeed, TGF-β can indirectly activate cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2-α), via p38 and ERK activation, resulting in activation of PPAR-γ activation 212 in human liver epithelial cells. Han et al. 212 demonstrated that overexpression of cPLA2-α or PPAR-γ could block TGF-β₁-induced Smad transcriptional activity. Both Smad-7 and PPAR-γ therefore act as negative feedback pathways and further elucidation of the pathways in asthma may yield exciting new targets to combat remodelling.

A novel approach to combating the TGF-β-induced fibrotic response is the use of the human pregnancy hormone, relaxin. Relaxin has been shown to inhibit the TGF-β-induced expression of both collagen and fibronectin in human lung fibroblasts, as well as inducing levels of MMP-1 213. The hormone also stimulated wound healing of bronchial epithelial cells in vitro 214 and, in a murine model, relaxin restored bleomycin-induced collagen accumulation back to normal levels 213.

A QUESTION OF BALANCE

This review has appraised the actions of TGF-β in the airways and other tissues. However, it would be a naive to suppose that TGF-β is the only fibrotic mediator in the airways or even that in the milieu of growth factors present in the lung that it was solely responsible for fibrosis associated with remodelled asthmatic airways. The actions of TGF-β are controlled not only by the expression levels of this growth factor in the lung and the ability of cells to respond to this signal, but also on the balance of fibrotic versus anti-fibrotic factors produced as a result of wound healing.

TGF-β can interact with a large number of different growth factors and cytokines in the lungs, each affiliation mediating a different outcome. Attempting to unscramble the interconnecting pathways of only two growth factors among the thousands of potential couplings that exist in the plethora of growth factors in the lung is a daunting task. The current authors have focussed on the interactions between TGF-β and EGF chosen because of their much published and often opposing actions in proliferation and differentiation.

EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR

EGFR (ErbB1), a member of the ErbB family, is expressed on the majority of cell types, including fibroblasts and epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. The receptors have a restricted expression pattern in polarised lung epithelial cells, with ErbB receptors expressed basolaterally and, thus, are exposed only after epithelial damage. Immediately following a mechanical injury, ErbB ligands can activate EGFR 215 or ErbB2 216 at the edge of the wound, thus hastening the restoration of epithelial integrity. Mammalian ligands for the EGFR include EGF, TGF-α, amphiregulin, betacellulin, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), epiregulin and epigen 217. A number of EGFR ligands are present in all cell types, although the expression profile of the individual ligands varies. For example, HB-EGF, amphiregulin and EGF have a widespread tissue distribution pattern, although TGF-α is expressed mainly in epithelial cells, macrophages and eosinophils. Immunolocalisation studies have revealed that EGF is primarily expressed in bronchial glands 218, 219, although there is weak expression in the bronchial epithelium and smooth muscle 220. Interestingly, stronger EGF immunoreactivity has been demonstrated in the bronchial epithelium, glands, smooth muscle 220 and submucosa 165 of asthmatic subjects compared with nonasthmatics. TGF-α, amphiregulin, betacellulin and HB-EGF expression has also been observed in airway epithelium, but does not differ in asthma 221.

FUNCTIONS OF EGFR LIGANDS

Proliferation is the most well studied function of EGFR signalling. All of the EGFR ligands are capable of promoting mitogenesis, although their potency is dependent on cell type. For example, amphiregulin induces proliferation of epithelial cells, whereas HB-EGF is a potent smooth muscle mitogen. EGFR ligands can also promote a migratory phenotype in cells, a response clearly illustrated by EGF. For example, EGF can enhance the repair of the mechanically damaged monolayers of bronchial epithelial cells 215. EGF-dependent cell motility is regulated by phospholipase c-α activation 222, 223 and MAPK activation 224. EGF can stimulate the disassembly of focal adhesions and alter components of the adherens 225 and desmosomal junctions, thus decreasing cell–cell contact and contributing to cell motility 226. Therefore, TGF-β and EGF can have opposing roles in terms of proliferation, but similar roles in terms of migration.

The TGF-β and EGF signalling pathways are not discrete pathways as they share many downstream signalling molecules. TGF-β and EGF can both mediate distinct cellular events via activation of ERK1 and ERK2 and, as a result, TGF-β can act synergistically, antagonistically or independently to EGF signalling. There are a number of reported examples of cross-talk between the two pathways at the level of receptor–ligand interactions. A study by Thompson et al. 227 using normal rat kidney fibroblasts indicated that TGF-β was capable of increasing expression of EGFR. Conversely, Danielpour et al. 228 showed that stimulation by EGF in the same cell type could induce the secretion of TGF-β₁. TGF-β can also regulate expression of other members of the EGF family. For example, a study by Bennett et al. 229 showed that TGF-β treatment reduces the level of expression of amphiregulin in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.

TGF-β and EGF are known to mediate a number of different cellular events, including growth, migration and branching morphogenesis of the lung. Mishima et al. 230 demonstrated that TGF-β could antagonise EGF-induced attachment of cells onto a fibronectin matrix, migration over corneal stroma, and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells. TGF-β was also found to inhibit the EGF-induced filapodia extension associated with migrating human bronchial epithelial cells 231. Both TGF-β and EGF can control lung branching in the developing foetus. TGF-β causes growth arrest of the developing airways 232–235, whereas EGF has been reported to cause significant elongation of the bronchial tubes 236. In combination, TGF-β promotes cell arrest, allowing EGF to induce branching in the outgrowing terminal buds.

These examples show how the action of TGF-β can influence EGF-signalling pathways and vice versa in a number of ways. Regulation of the pathways occurs at a number of different levels and the signalling outcome is dictated by the relative balance between the TGF-β and EGF signalling pathways. No signalling-mediated event can occur in isolation in the cell, but the TGF-β–EGF axis is distinct in its degree of overlap, especially when the antagonistic nature of the two growth factors is taken into consideration. The balance between EGF-driven proliferation and TGF-β-mediated differentiation of fibroblasts is therefore of potential importance in the pathogenesis of airway remodelling in asthmatics.

EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTORS AND ASTHMA

EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptors are expressed in the epithelium of the upper and lower airways, as well as in primary cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells and human bronchial epithelial derived cell lines, such as H292 and 16HBE 14o- 217, 219. In asthma, it has been observed that the expression of EGFR is increased on the remaining epithelial cells around the site of damage, and on the apical side of the exposed basal cells 219. EGFR expression levels are increased in asthma and correlate to disease severity 215. This increase in EGFR expression is a typical response to tissue injury; however, in asthma there is no evidence that this is coupled with an increased proliferative response 16. Furthermore, EGFR expression is insensitive to the effects of corticosteroids 215, 237.

Increased expression of EGFR ligands has been reported in asthmatic airways. Amishima et al. 220 reported that EGF was expressed at higher levels in the bronchial epithelium and glands of asthmatic subjects compared with normals. Additionally, TGF-α release was enhanced in asthmatic epithelial cells in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines, in particular tumour necrosis factor-α and combinations of IL-4, IL-13 and allergen 238.

Vargaftig and Singer 239 demonstrated that AG1478, an EGFR antagonist, could inhibit bronchial hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and lung remodelling induced by ovalbumin in a murine model. EGF and TGF-α have been implicated in induction of MUC5AC expression, a mucin released from goblet cells, via activation of the EGFR/Ras/Raf/ERK-signaling pathway 240. Takeyama et al. 241 demonstrated a positive correlation between EGFR immunoreactivity and the area of MUC5AC-positive staining. Increased release of EGFR ligands into the luminal space, such as EGF, coupled with increased EGFR expression, may account for the increase in mucus secretion by asthmatic epithelial cells.

The inflammatory cell profile in severe asthma is characterised by high numbers of circulating neutrophils. Hamilton et al. 242 demonstrated that damage to the epithelium has the potential to contribute to neutrophilic inflammation through enhanced production of CXCL-8 (IL-8) via EGFR-dependent mechanisms, which again are insensitive to corticosteroids.

MODULATION OF EGFR EXPRESSION IN ASTHMA

β₂-agonists can stimulate cAMP release, causing activation of protein kinase A and subsequent serine phosphorylation of the EGFR 243. Phosphorylation of serine residues on the EGFR deactivates the receptor, thus preventing signalling downstream from the receptor. Additionally, Kimura and Ogihara 244 showed that increasing concentrations of the β₂-agonist metaproterenol markedly reduced the proliferative effects of TGF-α in adult rat hepatocytes. These observations provide an example where a pre-existing therapy could indeed be counter-productive and prevent epithelial repair in the airways of asthmatics.

Studies have revealed that corticosteroids do not alter either EGFR expression 215 or activation 237. A study by Kibe et al. 245 reported that corticosteroid treatment inhibited eotaxin expression and eosinophil accumulation, but had no affect on airway hyperresponsiveness, MUC5AC overexpression, or goblet cell hyperplasia induced by IL-13 in a murine model. Corticosteroids have also been shown to have no effect on the expression of p21waf expression, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor.

EGF/EGFR AS A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN CHRONIC ASTHMA

EGFR can regulate mucin production in the airways 246. A treatment whereby secretion is reduced would be beneficial to the asthma sufferer, although complete inhibition of mucus secretion may indeed be counter-productive. Controlled mucus secretion plays a protective role in the innate immune system and helps to eliminate airborne allergens via ciliary action. Inhibitors of EGFR would potentially also suppress EGFR-mediated signals needed to initiate repair of the damaged epithelium, evident in asthmatic airways. Therefore, targeted downstream interventions may be appropriate.

A number of studies have concentrated on the effect of blocking nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in inflammatory cells (as reviewed by Wong and Leong 247). Binding of allergen to immunoceptors causes stimulation of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, such as Lyn, Lck, Syk and Fyn. Use of both nonselective and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors can induce a number of beneficial effects. For example, the Jak-3-specific inhibitor WHI-P97 was reported to suppress leukotriene synthesis, airway hyperresponsiveness and recruitment of eosinophils after ovalbumin challenge in a mouse model 248. However, in some cases, inhibition of tyrosine kinases can be counter-productive, e.g. Lck is also required for downregulating TCR expression by increasing the internalisation and degradation of receptors 249.

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Transforming growth factor-β is a potent fibrogenic growth factor, which is overexpressed in the asthmatic lung. The growth factor appears to play an essential role in mediating the fibrosis associated with the remodelled airways of asthmatics. In addition to transforming growth factor-β, abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor function may account for the excess mucus production in asthma. However, it is likely that the ultimate response in vivo will not depend solely on the balance between pro-fibrogenic and anti-fibrogenic growth factors. Although complete ablation could cause a whole host of new problems, as is shown in knockout mice, restoration of the balance between different growth factors may be of therapeutic benefit, for example, through the use of neutralising antibodies. Hopefully, the fuller comprehension of how signalling pathways interact in the asthmatic lung can be manipulated to provide novel therapeutic targets to combat the remodelling and maybe attenuate the chronic inflammation, so intimately linked to the altered structure of the lungs.