Effects of the Inflammatory Cytokines TNF-α and IL-13 on Stromal Interaction Molecule-1 Aggregation in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Intracellular Ca2+ Regulation

Inflammation elevates intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+](i)) concentrations in airway smooth muscle (ASM). Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is an important source of [Ca2+](i) mediated by stromal interaction molecule-1 (STIM1), a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein. In transducing SR Ca2+ depletion, STIM1 aggregates to form puncta, thereby activating SOCE via interactions with a Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel protein (Orai1) in the plasma membrane. We hypothesized that STIM1 aggregation is enhanced by inflammatory cytokines, thereby augmenting SOCE in human ASM cells. We used real-time fluorescence microscopic imaging to assess the dynamics of STIM1 aggregation and SOCE after exposure to TNF-alpha or IL-13 in ASM cells overexpressing yellow fluorescent protein-tagged wildtype STIM1 (WT-STIM1) and STIM1 mutants lacking the Ca2+ -sensing EF-hand(STIM1-D76A), or lacking the cytoplasmic membrane binding site (STIM1 Delta K). STIM1 aggregation was analyzed by monitoring puncta size during the SRCa2+ depletion induced by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). We found that puncta size was increased in cells expressing WT-STIM1 after CPA. However, STIM1-D76A constitutively formed puncta, whereas STIM1 Delta K failed to form puncta. Furthermore, cytokines increased basal WT-STIM1 puncta size, and the SOCE triggered by SR Ca2+ depletion was increased in cells expressing WT-STIM1 or STIM1-D76A. Meanwhile, SOCE in cells expressing STIM1 Delta K and STIM1 short, interfering RNA (siRNA) was decreased. Similarly, in cells overexpressing STIM1, the siRNA knockdown of Orai1 blunted SOCE. However, exposure to cytokines increased SOCE in all cells, increased basal [Ca2+](i), and decreased SR Ca2+ content. These data suggest that cytokines induce a constitutive increase in STIM1 aggregation that contributes to enhanced SOCE in human ASM after inflammation. Such effects of inflammationon STIM1 aggregations may contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness.