FGF7 mitigates airway inflammation and epithelial injury in cigarette smoke-induced COPD model

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease marked by persistent airway limitation. Airway epithelial injury is pivotal in the onset and progression of COPD.

Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) has been reported to promote alveolar epithelial regeneration following lung injury. Nonetheless, how FGF7 protects epithelial cells against cigarette smoke (CS)-induced airway injury remained unclear.MethodsFGF7 levels were analyzed in human lung tissues (n=32; 17 COPD and 15 control subjects) and serum samples (n=71; 51 COPD and 20 control subjects) using immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA.

In a COPD rat model subjected to CS exposure for 12 weeks, the impact of intratracheal administration of AAV-FGF7 or AAV-shFGF7 on lung function was assessed by lung ventilation and histology, expression levels of cytokines, and other signaling molecules.