Gob-5 contributes to goblet cell hyperplasia and modulates pulmonary tissue inflammation

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2006 Sep;35(3):357-65. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2005-0451OC. Epub 2006 Apr 27.

Abstract

Gob-5 is a member of the calcium-activated chloride channel family and has been associated with allergic response in mouse models of pulmonary inflammation. Gene expression of Gob-5 has been shown to be induced in allergic airways and has been strongly associated with mucin gene regulation and goblet cell hyperplasia. We investigated the physiologic role of Gob-5 in murine models of pulmonary inflammation using mice deficient in Gob-5. After sensitization and aerosol challenge with ovalbumin (OVA), Gob-5 knockout mice exhibit significantly increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) inflammation as compared with wild-type controls. The augmented inflammation in BAL consisted predominantly of neutrophils. Examination of perivascular inflammation revealed that tissue inflammation was decreased in OVA-challenged Gob-5-/- mice. OVA-challenged Gob-5 knockout mice also had decreased goblet cell hyperplasia as well as decreased mucus production. These mice also had decreased airway hypersensitivity after cholinergic provocation with methacholine. Gob-5 knockout mice were also challenged via intranasal LPS, a TLR-4 agonist. Gob-5-/- mice responded with increased neutrophilic BAL inflammation and decreased perivascular tissue inflammation as compared with wild-type controls. There was little effect on goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus production after LPS challenge. These observations reinforce findings that associate Gob-5 with goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus production in the allergic immune response, but also implicate Gob-5 in the regulation of tissue inflammation in the innate immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Airway Resistance
  • Animals
  • Antigens / toxicity
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Chloride Channels / genetics
  • Chloride Channels / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Goblet Cells / drug effects
  • Goblet Cells / metabolism
  • Goblet Cells / pathology*
  • Hyperplasia / genetics
  • Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mucoproteins / genetics
  • Mucoproteins / physiology*
  • Mucus / metabolism
  • Ovalbumin / toxicity
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / genetics*
  • Pneumonia / pathology*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Chemokines
  • Chloride Channels
  • Clca3a1 protein, mouse
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Mucoproteins
  • Ovalbumin