S139 The K+ channel KCa3.1 is a novel target for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Methods Using an in vitro wound repair model we explored the interaction of human Clara cells (H441 cell line) and type II AEC (A549 cell line). A transwell co-culture system was developed to determine the direct contact effect of densely populated Clara cells on wounded AEC monolayers. Results In serum-free media, lone H441 cell wound repair was higher than equivalent A549 cells, despite the fourfold slower doubling time of H441 cells. Serum-free conditioned media obtained from unwounded and wounded H441 monolayers did not show any significant influence on A549 wound repair. However, in a direct contact coculture A549-H441 cell model significant inhibition of A549 wound repair (p<0.005) was observed. Interestingly, H441 migration into the injured A549 layer was seen after 24 h; with a significant proportion of migrated H441 cells found at the wound margins. Coupled to this migration we observed a 50% reduction in A549 cell number at the wound margins. TUNEL assay detected about 40% A549 apoptosis in juxta-wound monolayers in A549-H441 direct contact (p<0.00001). This direct contact-induced apoptosis was significantly blocked by TRAIL-R1 and R2 combined receptor blockers (p<0.00001); whereas, Fas blocker failed to block this apoptosis. Conclusion In summary, direct contact of H441 cells induces apoptosis in the A549 monolayers through a TRAIL-dependent mechanism which disrupts wound margin integrity, inhibiting wound repair. This novel observation warrants further exploration of the role of Clara cell-alveolar epithelial cell interaction within the context of aberrant wound repair associated with chronic fibrotic lung disorders.