Aurintricarboxylic acid as an effective intervention for alveolar
epithelial regeneration and tissue repair in emphysematous lung
Abstract
Background and purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
a global health burden leading to significant morbidity and mortality
worldwide. CS exposure is a crucial driver to various progressive lung
diseases including COPD and there is an unmet need of potential
therapeutics. The present study examined to decipher the therapeutic
role of TWEAK/Fn14 selective inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid in COPD
pathogenesis. Experimental approach: In vitro alveolar type II cells and
macrophages were stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) followed
by aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) treatment. In vivo, rats were injected
with CSE intraperitoneally twice a week for 16 weeks followed by ATA
(10mg/kg) treatment for 4 weeks. Key results: Increased ROS generation,
mitochondrial dysfunction in alveolar type II cells and nuclear
translocation of NF-κB/p65 in macrophages were abrogated after ATA
treatment. In vivo, lung inflammation induced by CSE followed by ATA
treatment mitigated respiratory function impairment, immune cell
infiltration, emphysema associated morphometric parameters and oxidative
stress status. MALDI assessment of rat serum showed decreased CRP and
related inflammatory proteins. In addition, ATA inhibited up-regulation
of EMT related proteins including vimentin, α-SMA, and downstream
transcription factor Snail via inhibition of β-catenin/wnt3a pathway.
Furthermore, ATA reduced CSE-induced inflammatory makers including
TNF-α, NF-κB and MAP kinases including p-p38, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK in
vitro and in vivo. Cumulatively, ATA enhanced lung regeneration and
tissue repair by diminishing the inflammation and EMT transition. Hence,
ATA can be a novel therapeutic candidate to reduce COPD associated
pathological events and promote regeneration.