Acid-sensitive ion channel 1a regulates TNF-α expression in LPS-induced acute lung injury via ERS-CHOP-C/EBPα signaling pathway

Acute lung injury (ALI) is the local inflammatory response of the lungs involved in a variety of inflammatory cells. Macrophages are immune cells and inflammatory cells widely distributed in the body. Acid-sensitive ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is involved in the occurrence of ALI, but the mechanism is still unclear.Kunming mouse were stimulated by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to establish ALI model in vivo, and RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS to establish inflammatory model in vitro. Amiloride was used as a blocker of ASIC1a to treat mice, and dexamethasone was used as a positive drug for ALI. After blockers and RNAi blocked or silenced the expression of ASIC1a, the expressions of ASIC1a, endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins GRP78, CHOP, C/EBPα and TNF-α were detected. The Ca2+ concentration was measured by a laser confocal microscope. The interaction between CHOP and C/EBPα and the effect of C/EBPα on the activity of TNF-α promoter were detected by immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter.The expressions of ASIC1a and TNF-α were increased significantly in LPS group. After the blocker and RNAi blocked or silenced ASIC1a, the expressions of TNF-α, GRP78, CHOP were reduced, and the intracellular Ca2+ influx was weakened. The results of immunoprecipitation showed that CHOP and C/EBPα interacted in the macrophages. After silencing CHOP, C/EBPα expression was increased, and TNF-α expression was decreased. The results of the luciferase reporter indicated that C/EBPα directly binds to TNF-α.ASIC1a regulates the expression of TNF-α in LPS-induced acute lung injury via ERS-CHOP-C/EBPα signaling pathway.