RESUMO
Proliferation and synthetic function (i.e. the capacity to release numerous chemokines and cytokines) of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) are important in airway remodeling induced by cigarette smoke exposure. However, the molecular mechanism has not been clarified. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7 (TRPM7) is expressed ubiquitously and is crucial for the cellular physiological function of many cell types. The present study aimed to detect the expression of TRPM7 in ASMCs from smokeexposed rats and determine the importance of TRPM7 in proliferation and interleukin8 (IL8) release. ASMCs were isolated and cultured from smokeexposed rats. Expression levels of TRPM7 were determined by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. TRPM7 was silenced with TRPM7short hairpin RNA lentivirus vector. DNA synthesis, cell number and IL8 release of ASMCs induced by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and tumor necrosis factorα (TNFα) were assessed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay, hemocytometer and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, respectively. It was determined that mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPM7 were increased in ASMCs from smokeexposed rats. Stimulation with CSE or TNFα elevated DNA synthesis, cell number and IL8 release were more marked in ASMCs from smokeexposed rats. Silencing of TRPM7 reduced DNA synthesis, cell number and IL8 release induced by CSE or TNFα in ASMCs from smoke-exposed rats. In conclusion, expression of TRPM7 increased significantly in ASMCs from smokeexposed rats and the upregulation of TRPM7 led to augmented cell proliferation and IL-8 release in ASMCs from rats exposed to cigarette smoke.