Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a cardinal cytokine in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling, and promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As a molecular interaction between TGF-β1 and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) has been demonstrated, the goal of this study was to elucidate whether JNK plays a role in TGF-β1-induced EMT. Primary cultures of mouse tracheal epithelial cells (MTEC) from wild-type, JNK1–/– or JNK2–/– mice were comparatively evaluated for their ability to undergo EMT in response to TGF-β1. Wild-type MTEC exposed to TGF-β1 demonstrated a prominent induction of mesenchymal mediators and a loss of epithelial markers, in conjunction with a loss of trans-epithelial resistance (TER). Significantly, TGF-β1-mediated EMT was markedly blunted in epithelial cells lacking JNK1, while JNK2–/– MTEC underwent EMT in response to TGF-β1 in a similar way to wild-type cells. Although Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nuclear localization of Smad4 were similar in JNK1–/– MTEC in response to TGF-β1, Smad DNA-binding activity was diminished. Gene expression profiling demonstrated a global suppression of TGF-β1-modulated genes, including regulators of EMT in JNK1–/– MTEC, in comparison with wild-type cells. In aggregate, these results illuminate the novel role of airway epithelial-dependent JNK1 activation in EMT.

Collagen deposition is observed in a diverse set of pulmonary diseases, and the unraveling of the molecular signaling pathways that facilitate collagen deposition represents an ongoing area of investigation. The stress-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), is activated by a large variety of cellular stresses and environmental insults. Recent work from our laboratory demonstrated the critical role of JNK1 in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. The goal of the present study was to examine the involvement of JNK1 in subepithelial collagen deposition in mice subjected to models of allergic airways disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Activation of JNK was slightly enhanced in lungs from mice subjected to sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (Ova), and predominant localization of phospho-JNK was observed in the bronchial epithelium. While mice lacking JNK1 (JNK12/2 mice) displayed enhanced lung inflammation and cytokine production compared with wild-type (WT) mice, JNK12/2 mice accumulated less subepithelial collagen deposition in response to antigen, and showed decreased expression of profibrotic genes compared with WT animals. Furthermore, transforming growth factor (TGF)-b1 content in the bronchoalveolar lavage was diminished in JNK12/2 mice compared with WT animals subjected to antigen. Finally, we demonstrated that mice lacking JNK1 were protected against TGF-b1 and bleomycin-induced pro-fibrotic gene expression and pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate an important requirement for JNK1 in promoting collagen deposition in multiple models of fibrosis.

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Nitrogen dioxide is a highly toxic reactive nitrogen species (RNS) recently discovered as an inflammatory oxidant with great potential to damage tissues. We demonstrate here that cell death by RNS was caused by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Activation of JNK by RNS was density dependent and caused mitochondrial depolarization and nuclear condensation.

Eosinophilic influx is characteristic of numerous inflammatory conditions. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) is a major enzyme present in eosinophils and upon degranulation, becomes released into the airways of asthmatics. As a result of its cationic nature and its ability to catalyze the formation of highly toxic oxidants, EPO has significant potential to induce cellular injury. The focus of the present study was to determine the cell-signaling events important in EPO-induced death of lung epithelial cells. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite (NO2-; hereafter called EPO with substrates), EPO catalyzes the formation of nitrogen dioxide. EPO with substrates induced rapid and sustained activation of c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and led to cell death, as was evidenced by enhanced mitochondrial depolarization, cytochrome c release, cleavage of caspases 9 and 3, poly-adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribosylation of proteins, the formation of single-stranded DNA, and membrane permeability. Moreover, EPO with substrates caused Rho-associated coiled coil-containing kinase-1-dependent dynamic membrane blebbing. Inhibition of JNK activity in cells expressing a dominant-negative JNK-1 construct (JNK-APF) prevented mitochondrial membrane depolarization and substantially decreased the number of cells blebbing compared with vector controls. The cellular responses to EPO with substrates were independent of whether NO2-, bromide, or thiocyanide was used as substrates. Our findings demonstrate that catalytically active EPO is capable of causing significant damage to lung epithelial cells in vitro and that this involves the activation of JNK.