Hyaluronan mediates ozone-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice

Stavros Garantziotis, Zhuowei Li, Erin N. Potts, Koji Kimata, Lisheng Zhuo, Daniel L. Morgan, Rashmin C. Savani, Paul W. Noble, W. Michael Foster, David A. Schwartz, John W. Hollingsworth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

108 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ozone is a common urban environmental air pollutant and significantly contributes to hospitalizations for respiratory illness. The mechanisms, which regulate ozone-induced broncho-constriction, remain poorly understood. Hyaluronan was recently shown to play a central role in the response to noninfectious lung injury. Therefore, we hypothesized that hyaluronan contributes to airway hyperreactivity (AHR) after exposure to ambient ozone. Using an established model of ozone-induced airways disease, we characterized the role of hyaluronan in airway hyperresponsiveness. The role of hyaluronan in response to ozone was determined by using therapeutic blockade, genetically modified animals, and direct challenge to hyaluronan. Ozone-exposed mice demonstrate enhanced AHR associated with elevated hyaluronan levels in the lavage fluid. Mice deficient in either CD44 (the major receptor for hyaluronan) or inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (molecule that facilitates hyaluronan binding) show similar elevations in hyaluronan but are protected from ozone-induced AHR. Mice pretreated with hyaluronan-binding peptide are protected from the development of ozone-induced AHR. Overexpression of hyaluronan enhances the airway response to ozone. Intratracheal instillation of endotoxin-free low molecular weight hyaluronan induces AHR dependent on CD44, whereas instillation of high molecular weight hyaluronan protects against ozone-induced AHR. In conclusion, we demonstrate that hyaluronan mediates ozone-induced AHR, which is dependent on the fragment size and both CD44 and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor. These data support the conclusion that pulmonary matrix can contribute to the development of airway hyperresponsiveness.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11309-11317
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume284
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 24 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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