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Role of carbohydrates in repair of human respiratory epithelium using an in vitro model

Role of carbohydrates in repair of human respiratory epithelium using an in vitro model
Role of carbohydrates in repair of human respiratory epithelium using an in vitro model
Background: The epithelial layer in the conducting airway provides a primary protective barrier. Repair of this barrier normally occurs rapidly after damage, but is compromised in diseases such as asthma.
Objective: We have developed a human in vitro model system to test our hypothesis that cell surface glycoconjugate-based interactions are required for the normal repair of damaged epithelium.
Methods: Lectins having narrow carbohydrate specificities were used to identify and block specific carbohydrate moieties on human airway-derived epithelial cells in culture.
Results: The lectin wheat germ agglutinin bound to N-acetyl glucosamine and inhibited the repair of epithelial damage while having little effect on cell viability. In contrast, other N-acetyl glucosamine binding lectins had no effect even when bound to the cell surface. The involvement of glycoconjugates was confirmed by pre-incubating the lectin with its specific sugar, preventing the inhibition of repair.
Conclusion: These results indicate that lectin-binding sites are involved in epithelial repair and may be important in the repetitive cycles of injury and repair seen in asthma. This model system provides an insight into the role of glycoconjugates and will help to determine the function of specific carbohydrate groups in epithelial repair. These may present a target for therapeutic intervention in respiratory and other diseases.
carbohydrate, cell culture, lectins, respiratory epithelia
0954-7894
1398-1404
Adam, E.C.
8a62ff00-e6af-4859-be1f-fb36fa5f8d8d
Holgate, S.T.
2e7c17a9-6796-436e-8772-1fe6d2ac5edc
Fildew, C.J.
198ba3bd-1bbf-483e-84c1-7ed7b75cc614
Lackie, P.M.
4afbbe1a-22a6-4ceb-8cad-f3696dc43a7a
Adam, E.C.
8a62ff00-e6af-4859-be1f-fb36fa5f8d8d
Holgate, S.T.
2e7c17a9-6796-436e-8772-1fe6d2ac5edc
Fildew, C.J.
198ba3bd-1bbf-483e-84c1-7ed7b75cc614
Lackie, P.M.
4afbbe1a-22a6-4ceb-8cad-f3696dc43a7a

Adam, E.C., Holgate, S.T., Fildew, C.J. and Lackie, P.M. (2003) Role of carbohydrates in repair of human respiratory epithelium using an in vitro model. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 33 (10), 1398-1404. (doi:10.1046/j.1365-2222.2003.01771.x).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background: The epithelial layer in the conducting airway provides a primary protective barrier. Repair of this barrier normally occurs rapidly after damage, but is compromised in diseases such as asthma.
Objective: We have developed a human in vitro model system to test our hypothesis that cell surface glycoconjugate-based interactions are required for the normal repair of damaged epithelium.
Methods: Lectins having narrow carbohydrate specificities were used to identify and block specific carbohydrate moieties on human airway-derived epithelial cells in culture.
Results: The lectin wheat germ agglutinin bound to N-acetyl glucosamine and inhibited the repair of epithelial damage while having little effect on cell viability. In contrast, other N-acetyl glucosamine binding lectins had no effect even when bound to the cell surface. The involvement of glycoconjugates was confirmed by pre-incubating the lectin with its specific sugar, preventing the inhibition of repair.
Conclusion: These results indicate that lectin-binding sites are involved in epithelial repair and may be important in the repetitive cycles of injury and repair seen in asthma. This model system provides an insight into the role of glycoconjugates and will help to determine the function of specific carbohydrate groups in epithelial repair. These may present a target for therapeutic intervention in respiratory and other diseases.

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More information

Published date: 2003
Keywords: carbohydrate, cell culture, lectins, respiratory epithelia

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 26897
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/26897
ISSN: 0954-7894
PURE UUID: 4bb3db26-d93f-43f6-8ad9-a65d9c93e280
ORCID for P.M. Lackie: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7138-3764

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 25 Apr 2006
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:45

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Contributors

Author: E.C. Adam
Author: S.T. Holgate
Author: C.J. Fildew
Author: P.M. Lackie ORCID iD

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