Osteopontin potentiates PM-induced IL-1α and IL-1β production via the ERK/JNK signaling pathway

Ambient particulate matter (PM) poses a great threat to global health and contributes to pulmonary inflammation. However, the potential mechanism of PM-induced inflammation of the lung remains unclear. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein that reportedly regulates inflammatory responses in different diseases. Here, we explored the expression of OPN with PM exposure in vivo and in vitro and attempted to elucidate the regulatory role of OPN in PM-induced airway inflammation. Our results showed that PM exposure increased the expression of OPN in the bronchial epithelium, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice. Moreover, PM induced OPN expression in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) in a dose and time-dependent manner. In vitro, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α and IL-1β were increased in HBECs with PM exposure via the ERK and JNK signaling pathways. Recombinant human OPN could potentiate PM-induced expression of IL-1α and IL-1β, while OPN siRNA could alleviate PM-induced inflammatory responses in HBECs. Furthermore, we showed that OPN regulated PM-induced inflammatory cytokines via the ERK and JNK pathways in HBECs. This study shows for the first time the positive effect of OPN on PM-induced airway inflammation and contributes to a better understanding of its potential mechanism of action.