The Expression of ephrinA1/ephA2 Receptor Increases in Chronic Rhinosinusitis and ephrinA1/ephA2 Signaling Affects Rhinovirus-Induced Innate Immunity in Human Sinonasal Epithelial Cells

Sang Hag Lee, Sung Hoon Kang, Mun Soo Han, Ji Won Kwak, Hyeon Geun Kim, Tae Hoon Lee, Da Bin Lee, Tae Hoon Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

EphA2 receptor and its ephrin ligands are involved in virus infection, epithelial permeability, and chemokine secretion. We hypothesized that ephrinA1/ephA2 signaling participates in rhinovirus (RV)-induced antiviral immune response in sinonasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Therefore, we investigated the expression of ephrinA1/ephA2 in normal and inflamed sinonasal mucosa and evaluated whether they regulate chemokine secretion and the production of antiviral immune mediators including interferons (IFNs) in RV-infected human primary sinonasal epithelial cells. For this purpose, the expression and distribution of ephrinA1/ephA2 in sinonasal mucosa were evaluated with RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. Their roles in chemokine secretion and the production of antiviral immune mediators such as type I and III IFNs, and interferon stimulated genes were evaluated by stimulating ephA2 with ephrinA1 and inactivating ephA2 with ephA2 siRNA or inhibitor in cells exposed to RV and poly(I:C). We found that ephrinA1/ephA2 were expressed in normal mucosa and their levels increased in inflamed sinonasal mucosa of CRS patients. RV infection or poly(I:C) treatment induced chemokine secretion which were attenuated by blocking the action of ephA2 with ephA2 siRNA or inhibitor. The production of antiviral immune mediators enhanced by rhinovirus or poly (I:C) is increased by blocking ephA2 compared with that of cells stimulated by either rhinovirus or poly(I:C) alone. In addition, blocking ephA2 attenuated RV replication in cultured cells. Taken together, these results describe a novel role of ephrinA1/ephA2 signaling in antiviral innate immune response in sinonasal epithelium, suggesting their participation in RV-induced development and exacerbations of CRS.

Original languageEnglish
Article number793517
JournalFrontiers in immunology
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Dec 16
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
  • chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps
  • ephrinA1/ephA2 signaling
  • innate immune response
  • interferon stimulated genes
  • rhinovirus
  • type I interferon
  • type III interferon

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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