Adam8 limits emphysema development in smoke-exposed mice: A new player in the pathogenesis of COPD

摘要: BackgroundA d isintegrin a nd m etalloproteinase-8 (ADAM8) is expressed by lung cells implicated COPD pathogenesis. It’s not known whether ADAM8 contributes to COPD pathogenesis.MethodsADAM8 expression was measured in the lungs of COPD patients and controls, and mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) versus air by staining lung sections for ADAM8 and markers of different lung cells. Emphysema development and small airway fibrosis were evaluated wild-type (WT), Adam8−/− and Adam8 bone marrow chimeric mice exposed to air or CS for 6 months. Lung inflammation, alveolar septal cell apoptosis, and lung oxidative stress levels were measured in WT vs. Adam8−/− mice exposed acutely to air or CS.ResultsAdam8 expression is reduced in alveolar macrophages and lung epithelial cells in COPD patients and CS-exposed WT mice. CS-exposed Adam8−/− mice had greater airspace enlargement …