Soluble adenylyl cyclase mediates hydrogen peroxide-induced changes in epithelial barrier function

BACKGROUND: Elevated H(2)O(2) levels are associated with inflammatory diseases and H(2)O(2) exposure is known to disrupt epithelial barrier function, leading to increased permeability and decreased electrical resistance. In normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells, fully differentiated at the air liquid interface (ALI), H(2)O(2) activates an autocrine prostaglandin pathway that stimulates transmembrane adenylyl cyclase (tmAC) as well as soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), but the role of this autocrine pathway in H(2)O(2)-mediated barrier disruption is not entirely clear. METHODS: To further characterize the mechanism of H(2)O(2)-induced barrier disruption, NHBE cultures were treated with H(2)O(2) and evaluated for changes in transepithelial resistance and mannitol permeability using agonist and inhibitors to dissect the pathway. RESULTS: A short (<10 min) H(2)O(2) treatment was sufficient to induce resistance and permeability changes that occurred 40 min to 1 h later and the changes were partially sensitive to EP1 but not EP4 receptor antagonists. EP1 receptors were localized to the apical compartment of NHBE. Resistance and permeability changes were sensitive to inhibition of sAC but not tmAC and were partially blocked by PKA inhibition. Pretreatment with a PLC inhibitor or an IP3 receptor antagonist reduced changes in resistance and permeability suggesting activation of sAC occurred through increased intracellular calcium. CONCLUSION: The data support an important role for prostaglandin activation of sAC and PKA in H(2)O(2)-induced barrier disruption. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-016-0329-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.