Periostin: a novel component of subepithelial fibrosis of bronchial asthma downstream of IL-4 and IL-13 signals.
BACKGROUND: Subepithelial fibrosis is a cardinal feature of bronchial asthma. Collagen I, III, and V; fibronectin; and tenascin-C are deposited in the lamina reticularis. Extensive evidence supports the pivotal role of IL-4 and IL-13 in subepithelial fibrosis; however, the precise mechanism remains unclear. We have previously identified the POSTN gene encoding periostin as an IL-4/IL-13-inducible gene in bronchial epithelial cells. Periostin is thought to be an adhesion molecule because it possesses 4 fasciclin I domains. OBJECTIVE: We explore the possibility that periostin is involved in subepithelial fibrosis in bronchial asthma. METHODS: We analyzed induction of periostin in lung fibroblasts by IL-4 or IL-13. We next analyzed expression of periostin in patients with asthma and in ovalbumin-sensitized and ovalbumin-inhaled mice. Furthermore, we examined the binding ability of periostin to other extracellular matrix proteins. RESULTS: Both IL-4 and IL-13 induced secretion of periostin in lung fibroblasts independently of TGF-beta. Periostin colocalized with other extracellular matrix proteins involved in subepithelial fibrosis in both asthma patients and ovalbumin-sensitized and ovalbumin-inhaled wild-type mice, but not in either IL-4 or IL-13 knockout mice. Periostin had an ability to bind to fibronectin, tenascin-C, collagen V, and periostin itself. CONCLUSION: Periostin secreted by lung fibroblasts in response to IL-4 and/or IL-13 is a novel component of subepithelial fibrosis in bronchial asthma. Periostin may contribute to this process by binding to other extracellular matrix proteins. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Periostin induced by IL-4/IL-13 shows promise in inhibiting subepithelial fibrosis in bronchial asthma.[1]References
- Periostin: a novel component of subepithelial fibrosis of bronchial asthma downstream of IL-4 and IL-13 signals. Takayama, G., Arima, K., Kanaji, T., Toda, S., Tanaka, H., Shoji, S., McKenzie, A.N., Nagai, H., Hotokebuchi, T., Izuhara, K. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. (2006) [Pubmed]
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