Moonwiriyakit A.Yimnual C.Noitem R.Dinsuwannakol S.Sontikun J.Kaewin S.Worakajit N.Soontornniyomkij V.Muanprasat C.Mahidol University2023-11-102023-11-102023-12-01Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy Vol.168 (2023)07533322https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/90991Background: Airway remodeling is associated with severity and treatment insensitivity in asthma. This study aimed to investigate the effects of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) stimulation on alleviating allergic inflammation and remodeling of airway epithelium. Research design and methods: Ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged BALB/c mice and type-2-cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13)-exposed 16HBE human bronchial epithelial cells were treated with GSK137647A, a selective GPR120 agonist. Markers of allergic inflammation and airway remodeling were determined. Results: GSK137647A attenuated inflammation and mucus secretion in airway epithelium of OVA-challenged mice. Stimulation of GPR120 in 16HBE suppressed expression of asthma-associated cytokines and cytokine-induced expression of pathogenic mucin-MUC5AC. These effects were abolished by co-treatment with AH7614, a GPR120 antagonist. Moreover, GPR120 stimulation in 16HBE cells reduced expression of fibrotic markers including fibronectin protein and ACTA2 mRNA and inhibited epithelial barrier leakage induced by type-2 inflammation via rescuing expression of zonula occludens-1 protein. Furthermore, GPR120 stimulation prevented the cytokine-induced airway epithelial remodeling via suppression of STAT6 and Akt phosphorylation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GPR120 activation alleviates allergic inflammation and remodeling of airway epithelium partly through inhibition of STAT6 and Akt. GPR120 may represent a novel therapeutic target for diseases associated with remodeling of airway epithelium, including asthma.Pharmacology, Toxicology and PharmaceuticsArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.biopha.2023.1157742-s2.0-8517543434319506007