The role of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) in asthma Bartosz Pilecki PhD student Institute of Molecular Medicine University of Southern Denmark, Odense
Asthma Common chronic airway disease Decrease in lung function due to persistent inflammation, airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) Current treatments effective only in selected subsets of patients
MFAP4 Extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that binds to elastin and collagen Abundant in heart, lung, skin etc. Promotes proliferation and migration of vascular SMC in an integrin-dependent manner (Schlosser et al, submitted) Wulf-Johansson et al, 2013
Hypothesis: MFAP4 contributes to asthmatic airway disease, mainly due to its interaction with airway smooth muscle cells
In vivo allergy models OVA model:House dust mite (HDM) chronic model: Day: rest 25 ug HDM i.n. 7 weeks
MFAP4 levels are increased in asthma WT OVA WT PBS
MFAP4 deficiency attenuates eosinophilic infiltration
Eosinophil chemoattractants are downregulated in MFAP4-deficient mice
Lack of MFAP4 attenuates mucus production PBS KO OVA WT OVA
MFAP4 contributes to asthmatic smooth muscle deposition
MFAP4 deficiency partially protects from AHR
Conclusions MFAP4 is increased in circulation and BAL of asthmatic mice. MFAP4 contributes to development of experimental asthma by: 1.Attraction of eosinophils through CCL11/CCL24 2.Goblet cell metaplasia 3.Smooth muscle deposition 4.AHR It suggests that MFAP4 can be a potential therapeutic target for allergic asthma.
Acknowledgements Christopher Stevenson, Novartis, UK Jorgen Vestbo, OUH, DK Niels Marcussen, OUH, DK Fonden til laegevidenskabens fremme