Effects of respiratory syncytial virus infection on epidermal growth factor receptor, tight junction association proteins and mucin in airway epithelial cells

Abstract:

Objective To study the effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tight junction association proteins and mucin in the human airway epithelial cells. Methods Human airway epithelial cells NCI-H292 were randomly treated by ultraviolet light-inactivated RSV (control group) or thawed RSV (RSV infection group). After 48 hours of treatment, the protein levels of occludin, E-cadherin, phosphorylated EGFR and EGFR in NCI-H292 cells were measured by Western blot. The distribution and expression levels of occludin and E-cadherin in NCI-H292 cells were examined by immunofluorescence technique. The expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA in NCI-H292 cells were assessed by RT-PCR. Results The protein levels of occludin and E-cadherin were signifcantly reduced in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The protein levels of phosphorylated EGFR and EGFR increased signifcantly in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The MUC5AC mRNA levels also increased signifcantly in the RSV infection group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions RSV may down-regulate the tight junction association proteins and upregulate the expression of MUC5AC in airway epithelial cells, which contributes to epithelial barrier dysfunction. EGFR phosphorylation may play an important role in regulation of airway barrier.