Characterization of Primary Cilia in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

Background: Considerable evidence indicates a key role for primary cilia of mammalian cells in mechanochemical sensing. Dysfunctions of primary cilia have been linked to the pathogenesis of several human diseases. However, cilia-related research has been limited to a few cell and tissue types; to our knowledge, no literature exists on primary cilia in airway smooth muscle (ASM). The aim of this study was to characterize primary cilia in human ASM. Methods: Primary cilia of human bronchial smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) were examined using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. HBSMC migration and injury repair were examined by scratch-wound and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced migration assays.

Deletion of airway cilia results in noninflammatory bronchiectasis and hyperreactive airways

“…Airway smooth muscle cells, which possess nonmotile cilia, are also involved in the airway maintenance, remodeling, and injury repair. Loss of primary cilia on airway smooth muscle cells causes changes in migration in cell culture scratch wound assay (24,38). Impaired smooth muscle cell migration is perhaps another component in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis.…”

Platelet-derived growth factor-A and sonic hedgehog signaling direct lung fibroblast precursors during alveolar septal formation

“…Very little is known about primary cilia in pulmonary alveoli. Primary cilia are present on mouse fetal airway epithelial cells that subsequently develop secondary cilia, and on airway smooth muscle cells (17,46). Primary cilia sense pressure, shear, and oscillatory loading in the kidney, vasculature, and bone, respectively.…”

Cilia and coordination of signaling networks during heart development

“…Because so many different signaling systems are associated with primary cilia, 20,21,31,171,172,175,200,[213][214][215][216] we suggest that primary cilia may function as signaling hubs in the spatiotemporal crosstalking between diverse signaling networks during heart development. Future work should therefore focus on how primary cilia are involved in the integration and cross-talking between different signaling networks and how this may impact on different stages of heart development.…”