Airway smooth muscle STIM1 and Orai1 are upregulated in asthmatic mice and mediate PDGF-activated SOCE, CRAC currents, proliferation, and migration

Pflugers Arch. 2012 Nov;464(5):481-92. doi: 10.1007/s00424-012-1160-5. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Abstract

Airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) remodeling contributes to the structural changes in the airways that are central to the clinical manifestations of asthma. Ca(2+) signals play an important role in ASMC remodeling through control of ASMC migration and hypertrophy/proliferation. Upregulation of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins, the molecular components of the store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) pathway, has recently emerged as an important mediator of vascular remodeling. However, the potential upregulation of STIM1 and Orai1 in asthmatic airways remains unknown. An important smooth muscle migratory agonist with major contributions to ASMC remodeling is the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Nevertheless, the Ca(2+) entry route activated by PDGF in ASMC remains elusive. Here, we show that STIM1 and Orai1 protein levels are greatly upregulated in ASMC isolated from ovalbumin-challenged asthmatic mice, compared to control mice. Furthermore, we show that PDGF activates a Ca(2+) entry pathway in rat primary ASMC that is pharmacologically reminiscent of SOCE. Molecular knockdown of STIM1 and Orai1 proteins inhibited PDGF-activated Ca(2+) entry in these cells. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings revealed the activation of Ca(2+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) current by PDGF in ASMC. These CRAC currents were abrogated upon either STIM1 or Orai1 knockdown. We show that either STIM1 or Orai1 knockdown significantly inhibited ASMC proliferation and chemotactic migration in response to PDGF. These results implicate STIM1 and Orai1 in PDGF-induced ASMC proliferation and migration and suggest the potential use of STIM1 and Orai1 as targets for ASMC remodeling during asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / chemically induced
  • Asthma / metabolism*
  • Asthma / physiopathology*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / physiology*
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Trachea / cytology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • Orai1 protein, mouse
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Stim1 protein, mouse
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Calcium