Differential gene expression in human conducting airway surface epithelia and submucosal glands

Anthony J Fischer; Kelli L Goss; Todd E Scheetz; Christine L Wohlford-Lenane; Jeanne M Snyder; Paul B McCray Jr

doi:10.1165/rcmb.2008-0240OC

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Differential gene expression in human conducting airway surface epithelia and submucosal glands

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Differential gene expression in human conducting airway surface epithelia and submucosal glands

Anthony J Fischer, Kelli L Goss, Todd E Scheetz, Christine L Wohlford-Lenane, Jeanne M Snyder and Paul B McCray Jr

American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, Vol.40(2), pp.189-199

02/2009

DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2008-0240OC

PMCID: PMC2633141

PMID: 18703793

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Abstract

Human conducting airways contain two anatomically distinct epithelial cell compartments: surface epithelium and submucosal glands (SMG). Surface epithelial cells interface directly with the environment and function in pathogen detection, fluid and electrolyte transport, and mucus elevation. SMG secrete antimicrobial molecules and most of the airway surface fluid. Despite the unique functional roles of surface epithelia and SMG, little is known about the differences in gene expression and cellular metabolism that orchestrate the specialized functions of these epithelial compartments. To approach this problem, we performed large-scale transcript profiling using epithelial cell samples obtained by laser capture microdissection (LCM) of human bronchus specimens. We found that SMG expressed high levels of many transcripts encoding known or putative innate immune factors, including lactoferrin, zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein, and proline-rich protein 4. By contrast, surface epithelial cells expressed high levels of genes involved in basic nutrient catabolism, xenobiotic clearance, and ciliated structure assembly. Selected confirmation of differentially expressed genes in surface and SMG epithelia demonstrated the predictive power of this approach in identifying genes with localized tissue expression. To characterize metabolic differences between surface epithelial cells and SMG, immunostaining for a mitochondrial marker (isocitrate dehydrogenase) was performed. Because greater staining was observed in the surface compartment, we predict that these cells use significantly more energy than SMG cells. This study illustrates the power of LCM in defining the roles of specific anatomic features in airway biology and may be useful in examining how disease states alter transcriptional programs in the conducting airways.

Epithelial Cells - metabolism

Microdissection

Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

Humans

Middle Aged

Male

Gene Expression Profiling

Exocrine Glands - cytology

Lactoferrin - biosynthesis

Lactoferrin - immunology

Immunity, Innate - physiology

Respiratory Mucosa - immunology

Adult

Female

Exocrine Glands - immunology

Epithelial Cells - cytology

Child

Carrier Proteins - immunology

Respiratory Mucosa - cytology

Carrier Proteins - biosynthesis

Gene Expression Regulation - physiology

Glycoproteins - biosynthesis

Glycoproteins - immunology

Exocrine Glands - metabolism

Epithelial Cells - immunology

Adolescent

Respiratory Mucosa - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Differential gene expression in human conducting airway surface epithelia and submucosal glands
Creators: Anthony J Fischer - Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Kelli L Goss - University of Iowa
Todd E Scheetz
Christine L Wohlford-Lenane
Jeanne M Snyder
Paul B McCray Jr
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology, Vol.40(2), pp.189-199
DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2008-0240OC
PMID: 18703793
PMCID: PMC2633141
NLM abbreviation: Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol
ISSN: 1044-1549
eISSN: 1535-4989
Publisher: United States
Grant note: HL-51670 / NHLBI NIH HHS P01 HL051670 / NHLBI NIH HHS P30 DK-54759 / NIDDK NIH HHS P30 DK054759 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 HL-50050 / NHLBI NIH HHS N01 AI-30040 / NIAID NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2009
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Microbiology and Immunology; Pulmonary Medicine; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Internal Medicine; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9983979960902771

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