Endothelin-1 (ET-1) decreases human bronchial epithelial cell migration and proliferation: implications for airway remodeling in asthma.

The respiratory epithelium is a protective barrier that also functions as an interactive metabolically active component of the lung. The healing and repair of the epithelium involves initial migration of epithelial cells, and subsequent proliferation. The purpose of our study was to assess the effect of inflammatory mediators, in particular endothelin-1 (ET-1), on bronchial epithelial cell proliferation and migration. Under the conditions studied, ET-1 slows proliferation of human bronchial epithelial cells, compared to control (p < 0.01). The presence of ET-1 results in slower migration of epithelial cells compared to control (p < 0.04). Based on these in vitro findings, ET-1 could potentially lead to inhibition of repair of the lung epithelium and enhanced remodeling.