RAB11A aggravates PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation, migration, and inflammation of airway smooth muscle cells via affecting the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Background: Pediatric asthma is an usual disease and a kind of fearful health threat for children. Airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) with increased cell proliferation and migration abilities serve as important features in the progression of asthma. RAB11A has been shown to aggravate cancer progression and is closely associated with inflammation. Gene analysis discovered that RAB11A exhibited higher expression in asthmatic patients. However, the detailed regulatory function of RAB11A in asthma still needs further investigation.

Method: The mRNA and protein expressions of genes were examined through RT-qPCR and western blot. Cell proliferation was examined through MTT and BrdU assays. Cell apoptosis was tested through flow cytometry. The cell migration ability was detected through wound healing and transwell assays. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-6 were measured through ELISA.

Result: In this study, the mRNA and protein expressions of RAB11A were increased with PDGF-BB treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the silencing of RAB11A suppressed the proliferation ability of PDGF-BB-mediated ASMCs. Moreover, it was uncovered that the knockdown of RAB11A inhibited the migration ability of PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMCs. Besides, suppression of RAB11A relieved the inflammatory response in PDGF-BB-stimulated ASMCs. Lastly, inhibition of RAB11A retarded the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Conclusion: Our results revealed that RAB11A aggravated PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation, migration, and inflammation of ASMCs through modulating NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. This finding implied that the RAB11A may be deemed as a novel and prospective biomarker for asthma treatment.