C-Kit+ cells can modulate asthmatic condition via differentiation into pneumocyte-like cells and alteration of inflammatory responses via ERK/NF-ƙB pathway

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of Physiology, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran

3 Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

4 Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

5 Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

6 Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

7 Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Objective(s): The exact role of the progenitor cell types in the dynamic healing of asthmatic lungs is lacking. This investigation was proposed to evaluate the effect of intratracheally administered rat bone marrow-derived c-kit+ cells on ovalbumin-induced sensitized male rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups; healthy rats received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (C); sensitized rats received PBS (S); PBS containing C-kitˉ cells (S+C-kit-); and PBS containing C-kit+ cells (S+C-kit+). After two weeks, circulatory CD4+/CD8+ T-cell counts and pulmonary ERK/NF-ƙB signaling pathway as well as the probability of cellular differentiation were assessed. 
Results: The results showed that transplanted C-Kit+ cells were engrafted into pulmonary tissue and differentiated into epithelial cells. C-Kit+ cells could increase the number of CD4+ cells in comparison with the S group (P<0.001); however, they diminished the level of CD8+ cells (P<0.01). Moreover, data demonstrated increased p-ERK/ERK ratio (P<0.001) and NF-ƙB level (P<0.05) in sensitized rats compared with the C group. The administration of C-kit+, but not C-Kit-, decreased p-ERK/ERK ratio and NF-ƙB level compared with those of the S group (P<0.05). 
Conclusion: The study revealed that C-Kit+ cells engrafted into pulmonary tissue reduced the NF-ƙB protein level and diminished p-ERK/ERK ratio, leading to suppression of inflammatory response in asthmatic lungs. 

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 1
January 2022
Pages 96-102

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