Oxidized CaMKII promotes asthma through the activation of mast cells
Jingjing Qu, Danh C. Do, Yufeng Zhou, Elizabeth Luczak, Wayne Mitzner, Mark E. Anderson, Peisong Gao
Jingjing Qu, Danh C. Do, Yufeng Zhou, Elizabeth Luczak, Wayne Mitzner, Mark E. Anderson, Peisong Gao
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Research Article Immunology Pulmonology

Oxidized CaMKII promotes asthma through the activation of mast cells

Abstract

Oxidation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (ox-CaMKII) by ROS has been associated with asthma. However, the contribution of ox-CaMKII to the development of asthma remains to be fully characterized. Here, we tested the effect of ox-CaMKII on IgE-mediated mast cell activation in an allergen-induced mouse model of asthma using oxidant-resistant CaMKII MMVVδ knockin (MMVVδ) mice. Compared with WT mice, the allergen-challenged MMVVδ mice displayed less airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation. These MMVVδ mice exhibited reduced levels of ROS and diminished recruitment of mast cells to the lungs. OVA-activated bone marrow–derived mast cells (BMMCs) from MMVVδ mice showed a significant inhibition of ROS and ox-CaMKII expression. ROS generation was dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in BMMCs. Importantly, OVA-activated MMVVδ BMMCs had suppressed degranulation, histamine release, leukotriene C4, and IL-13 expression. Adoptive transfer of WT, but not MMVVδ, BMMCs, reversed the alleviated AHR and inflammation in allergen-challenged MMVVδ mice. The CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 significantly suppressed IgE-mediated mast cell activation and asthma. These studies support a critical but previously unrecognized role of ox-CaMKII in mast cells that promotes asthma and suggest that therapies to reduce ox-CaMKII may be a novel approach for asthma.

Authors

Jingjing Qu, Danh C. Do, Yufeng Zhou, Elizabeth Luczak, Wayne Mitzner, Mark E. Anderson, Peisong Gao

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Figure 6

Oxidized CaMKII can modulate allergen-induced mast cell activation.

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Oxidized CaMKII can modulate allergen-induced mast cell activation. (A–D...
(A–D) Levels of β-hexosaminidase (A), histamine (B), LTC4 (C), and IL-13 (D) in sensitized and challenged WT and MMVVδ BMMCs detected by ELISA. Mean ± SEM, n = 4 per group. (E) Experimental setup for IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). Mice were injected intradermally with E-C1. After 48 hours, OVA was administered i.v. together with Evans blue dye for 30 minutes, followed by the quantification of the extravasation of Evans blue leakage into the skin. (F) Representative images of Evans blue–stained extravasation into skin 30 minutes after i.v. injection of OVA from WT and MMVVδ mice. For quantification of the extravasation of Evans blue leakage into the skin. Absorbance was measured at 620 nm, and data are expressed as Evans blue in ng/mg tissue. Data represent mean ± SEM, n = 4 per group. Comparisons were made using 2-tailed Student’s t test between OVA-treated WT vs. MMVV group. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.