Effect of acute and chronic inflammatory stimuli on expression of protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 in alveolar macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Protease-activated receptors 1 and 2 (PAR-1 and PAR-2) are 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors activated by serine proteases in many cell types, including monocytes-macrophages, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and growth factors. OBJECTIVE: We determined the influence of chronic smoking and asthma on the expression of PAR-1 and PAR-2 receptors on alveolar macrophages (AMs). METHODS: We used RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry with confocal microscopy to determine mRNA and protein expression of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in AMs obtained from healthy smokers, asthmatic patients, and healthy subjects. In addition, we examined the effect of IL-1beta and LPS. RESULTS: PAR1 mRNA was decreased, whereas PAR2 mRNA was increased in 24-hour cultured AMs from smokers when compared with values in AMs from healthy subjects. Paradoxically, there was a higher degree of PAR-1 protein staining in AMs from smokers, whereas PAR-2 staining was similar in smokers and healthy subjects. PAR-1 and PAR-2 mRNA and protein expression were similar in asthmatic patients and control subjects. IL-1beta and LPS had no effect on PAR1 and PAR2 gene expression by AMs. CONCLUSIONS: There is a dissociation between gene and protein expression of PAR-1 and PAR-2. PAR-1 protein overexpression in AMs from smokers might be important in the pathophysiology of chronic airways disease.