RNA-Seq Analysis of UPM-Exposed Epithelium Co-Cultivated with Macrophages and Dendritic Cells in Obstructive Lung Diseases

Background. Elevated concentrations of airborne pollutants are correlated with an enlarged rate of obstructive lung disease morbidity as well as acute disease exacerbations. This study aimed to analyze the epithelium mRNA profile in response to airborne particulate matter in the control, asthma, and COPD groups. Results. A triple co-culture of nasal epithelium, monocyte-derived macrophages, and monocyte-derived dendritic cells obtained from the controls, asthma, and COPD were exposed to urban particulate matter (UPM) for 24 h. RNA-Seq analysis found differences in seven (CYP1B1, CYP1B1-AS1, NCF1, ME1, LINC02029, BPIFA2, EEF1A2), five (CYP1B1, ARC, ENPEP, RASD1, CYP1B1-AS1), and six (CYP1B1, CYP1B1-AS1, IRF4, ATP1B2, TIPARP, CCL22) differentially expressed genes between UPM exposed and unexposed triple co-cultured epithelium in the control, asthma, and COPD groups, respectively. PCR analysis showed that mRNA expression of BPIFA2 and ENPEP was upregulated in both asthma and COPD, while the expression of CYP1B1-AS1 and TIPARP was increased in the epithelium from COPD patients only. Biological processes changed in UPM exposed triple co-cultured epithelium were associated with epidermis development and epidermal cell differentiation in asthma and with response to toxic substances in COPD. Conclusions. The biochemical processes associated with pathophysiology of asthma and COPD impairs the airway epithelial response to UPM.