Neutrophil elastase induces mucin production by ligand-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor activation

Neutrophil products are implicated in hypersecretory airway diseases. To determine the mechanisms linking a proteolytic effect of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and mucin overproduction, we examined the effects of HNE on MUC5AC mucin production in human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells. Stimulation with HNE for 5–30 min induced MUC5AC production 24 h later, which was prevented by HNE serine active site inhibitors, implicating a proteolytic effect of HNE. MUC5AC induction was preceded by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine phosphorylation and was prevented by selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, implicating EGFR activation. HNE-induced MUC5AC production was inhibited by a neutralizing transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α, an EGFR ligand) antibody and by a neutralizing EGFR antibody but not by oxygen free radical scavengers, further implicating TGF-α and ligand-dependent EGFR activation in the response. HNE decreased pro-TGF-α in NCI-H292 cells and increased TGF-α in cell culture supernatant. From these results, we conclude that HNE-induced MUC5AC mucin production occurs via its proteolytic activation of an EGFR signaling cascade involving TGF-α.