Benzo(a)pyrene Enhanced Dermatophagoides Group 1 (Der f 1)-Induced TGFβ1
Signaling Activation through the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-RhoA Axis in
Asthma
Abstract
Background: We have previously demonstrated that benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)
co-exposure with dermatophagoides group 1 allergen (Der f 1) can
potentiate Der f 1-induced airway inflammation. We sought to investigate
the molecular mechanisms underlying the potentiation of BaP exposure on
Der f 1-induced airway inflammation. Methods: BaP co-exposure with Der f
1-induced activation of TGFβ1 signaling was analyzed in airway
epithelial cells (HBECs) and in asthma mouse model. The role of aryl
hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and RhoA in BaP co-exposure-induced TGFβ1
signaling was investigated. AhR binding sites in RhoA were predicted and
experimentally confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. The role of RhoA
in BaP co-exposure-induced airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and
allergic inflammation was examined. Results: BaP co-exposure potentiates
Der f 1-induced TGFβ1 signaling activation in HBECs and in the airways
of asthma mouse model. The BaP co-exposure-induced the activation of
TGFβ1 signaling was attenuated by either AhR antagonist CH223191 or AhR
knockdown in HBECs. Furthermore, AhR knockdown led to the reduction of
BaP co-exposure-induced active RhoA. Inhibition of RhoA signaling with
fasudil, a RhoA/ROCK inhibitor, suppressed BaP co-exposure-induced TGFβ1
signaling activation. This was further confirmed in HBECs expressing
constitutively active RhoA (RhoA-L63) or dominant negative RhoA
(RhoA-N19). Luciferase reporter assays showed prominently increased
promoter activities for the AhR binding sites in the promoter region of
RhoA. Inhibition of RhoA suppressed co-exposure-induced AHR,
Th2-associated airway inflammation and TGFβ1 signaling activation in
asthma. Conclusions: Our studies identified a functional axis of
AhR-RhoA that regulates TGFβ1 signaling activation, leading to allergic
airway inflammation and asthma.