High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway

Abstract Integrin β3 (ITGB3) has been identified as an asthma-associated gene; however, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical driver of airway remodeling in asthma, which underpins disease progression. This study aimed to elucidate t...

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Main Authors: Lu Luo, Xiaoshan Yang, Haitao Zhao, Lingling Wang, Wengang Li, Yan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98842-y
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author Lu Luo
Xiaoshan Yang
Haitao Zhao
Lingling Wang
Wengang Li
Yan Zhang
author_facet Lu Luo
Xiaoshan Yang
Haitao Zhao
Lingling Wang
Wengang Li
Yan Zhang
author_sort Lu Luo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Integrin β3 (ITGB3) has been identified as an asthma-associated gene; however, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical driver of airway remodeling in asthma, which underpins disease progression. This study aimed to elucidate the role of ITGB3 in asthma pathogenesis by investigating its regulation of EMT. Asthma models were established in vivo using C57BL/6 mice and in vitro with A549 cells, both exposed to house dust mite (HDM) extract. The effects of HDM and ITGB3 modulation on cellular viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were assessed in cultured cells and murine lungs. EMT was evaluated via western blot analysis of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin expression. The NF-κB pathway was examined by quantifying phosphorylated p65 and IkBa levels. Lung tissue pathology and ITGB3 expression were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrated that HDM exposure reduced A549 cell viability, increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while promoting EMT. ITGB3 knockdown exacerbated these effects, whereas ITGB3 overexpression mitigated them. Furthermore, HDM activated the NF-κB pathway, an effect reversed by ITGB3 overexpression. In HDM-challenged cells, NF-κB activation via an agonist counteracted the protective effects of ITGB3 overexpression on apoptosis, inflammation, and EMT. Notably, ITGB3 overexpression suppressed inflammation, EMT, and pathological remodeling in asthmatic mice. Collectively, our findings reveal that ITGB3 exerts protective effects in asthma by inhibiting EMT through suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby identifying ITGB3 as a potential therapeutic target for asthma management.
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spelling doaj-art-6b5f5c3dd51c484195aaa956bc7e2d332025-08-20T03:14:03ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-98842-yHigh expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathwayLu Luo0Xiaoshan Yang1Haitao Zhao2Lingling Wang3Wengang Li4Yan Zhang5Department of Emergency, Jinan Children’s HospitalDepartment of Rheumatology And Immunology, Binzhou People’s HospitalDepartment of Hematology, Binzhou People’s HospitalDepartment of Emergency, Jinan Children’s HospitalDepartment of Emergency, Jinan Children’s HospitalDepartment of Emergency, Jinan Children’s HospitalAbstract Integrin β3 (ITGB3) has been identified as an asthma-associated gene; however, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical driver of airway remodeling in asthma, which underpins disease progression. This study aimed to elucidate the role of ITGB3 in asthma pathogenesis by investigating its regulation of EMT. Asthma models were established in vivo using C57BL/6 mice and in vitro with A549 cells, both exposed to house dust mite (HDM) extract. The effects of HDM and ITGB3 modulation on cellular viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were assessed in cultured cells and murine lungs. EMT was evaluated via western blot analysis of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin expression. The NF-κB pathway was examined by quantifying phosphorylated p65 and IkBa levels. Lung tissue pathology and ITGB3 expression were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrated that HDM exposure reduced A549 cell viability, increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, while promoting EMT. ITGB3 knockdown exacerbated these effects, whereas ITGB3 overexpression mitigated them. Furthermore, HDM activated the NF-κB pathway, an effect reversed by ITGB3 overexpression. In HDM-challenged cells, NF-κB activation via an agonist counteracted the protective effects of ITGB3 overexpression on apoptosis, inflammation, and EMT. Notably, ITGB3 overexpression suppressed inflammation, EMT, and pathological remodeling in asthmatic mice. Collectively, our findings reveal that ITGB3 exerts protective effects in asthma by inhibiting EMT through suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby identifying ITGB3 as a potential therapeutic target for asthma management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98842-yAsthmaIntegrin beta3NF-κBEpithelial-mesenchymal transformation
spellingShingle Lu Luo
Xiaoshan Yang
Haitao Zhao
Lingling Wang
Wengang Li
Yan Zhang
High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
Scientific Reports
Asthma
Integrin beta3
NF-κB
Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation
title High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
title_full High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
title_fullStr High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
title_full_unstemmed High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
title_short High expression of ITGB3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of NF-kB pathway
title_sort high expression of itgb3 ameliorates asthma by inhibiting epithelial mesenchymal transformation through suppressing the activation of nf kb pathway
topic Asthma
Integrin beta3
NF-κB
Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98842-y
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