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Cholinergic neuroplasticity in asthma driven by TrkB signaling
Author(s) -
Dragunas Guilherme,
Woest Ma E.,
Nijboer Susan,
Bos Sophie T.,
Asselt Janet,
Groot Anne P.,
Vohlídalová Eva,
Vermeulen Corneel J.,
Ditz Benedikt,
Vonk Judith M.,
Koppelman Gerard H.,
den Berge Maarten,
ten Hacken Nick H. T.,
Timens Wim,
Munhoz Carolina D.,
Prakash Y. S.,
Gosens Reinoud,
Kistemaker Loes E. M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.202000170r
Subject(s) - tropomyosin receptor kinase b , cholinergic , vesicular acetylcholine transporter , cholinergic neuron , medicine , endocrinology , neurotrophic factors , biology , receptor , choline acetyltransferase
Parasympathetic neurons in the airways control bronchomotor tone. Increased activity of cholinergic neurons are mediators of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma, however, mechanisms are not elucidated. We describe remodeling of the cholinergic neuronal network in asthmatic airways driven by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Tropomyosin receptor kinase B ( TrkB). Human bronchial biopsies were stained for cholinergic marker vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT). Human lung gene expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in neuroplasticity‐related genes were compared between asthma and healthy patients. Wild‐type (WT) and mutated TrkB knock‐in mice (Ntrk2tm1Ddg/J) with impaired BDNF signaling were chronically exposed to ovalbumin (OVA). Neuronal VAChT staining and airway narrowing in response to electrical field stimulation in precision cut lung slices (PCLS) were assessed. Increased cholinergic fibers in asthmatic airway biopsies was found, paralleled by increased TrkB gene expression in human lung tissue, and SNPs in the NTRK2 [TrkB] and BDNF genes linked to asthma. Chronic allergen exposure in mice resulted in increased density of cholinergic nerves, which was prevented by inhibiting TrkB. Increased nerve density resulted in AHR in vivo and in increased nerve‐dependent airway reactivity in lung slices mediated via TrkB. These findings show cholinergic neuroplasticity in asthma driven by TrkB signaling and suggest that the BDNF‐TrkB pathway may be a potential target.