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BDNF-TrkB signaling maintains alveolar epithelial type 2 cell survival and is blocked in hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury

Oxygen supplementation causes an arrest of alveolar formation and a depletion of alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells in preterm infants, both characteristics of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a key integrator of cell homeostasis and contributes to chronic...

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Main Authors: Kuiper-Makris, Celien (Author) , Fahle, Luise (Author) , Zeitouny, Caroline (Author) , Vohlen, Christina (Author) , Klymenko, Oleksiy (Author) , Stephan, Stephanie (Author) , Mižíková, Ivana (Author) , Bae-Gartz, Inga (Author) , Selle, Jaco (Author) , Hirani, Dharmesh (Author) , Belu, Andreea (Author) , Hucho, Tim (Author) , Koenig, Julian (Author) , Wagner, Julian U. G. (Author) , Mahabir, Esther (Author) , Seeger, Werner (Author) , Dötsch, Jörg (Author) , Alejandre Alcázar, Miguel Angel (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: [01 October 2025]
In: American journal of respiratory cell and molecular biology
Year: 2025, Volume: 73, Issue: 4, Pages: 517-529
ISSN:1535-4989
DOI:10.1165/rcmb.2024-0198OC
Online Access:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1165/rcmb.2024-0198OC
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Author Notes:Celien Kuiper-Makris, Luise Fahle, Caroline Zeitouny, Christina Vohlen, Oleksiy Klymenko, Stephanie Stephan, Ivana Mižik, Inga Bae-Gartz, Jaco Selle, Dharmesh Hirani, Andreea Belu, Tim Hucho, Julian Koenig, Julian U. G. Wagner, Esther Mahabir, Werner Seeger, Jörg Dötsch, and Miguel A. Alejandre Alcázar
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Summary:Oxygen supplementation causes an arrest of alveolar formation and a depletion of alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells in preterm infants, both characteristics of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a key integrator of cell homeostasis and contributes to chronic lung diseases. In this study, 1) wild-type mice were exposed to 85% O2 or 21% O2 from birth to postnatal day (P)28, followed by spatiotemporal profiling of pulmonary BDNF signaling on P3-P70; and 2) lung epithelial cells (MLE12), primary murine AT2, and precision-cut lung slices were treated with nonselective Trk inhibitor (K252a), selective TrkB antagonist (Ana12), and TrkB agonist (7,8-dihydroxyflavone). Single-cell transcriptomic profiling revealed an expression of Bdnf in mesenchymal cells but no changes during postnatal development. In contrast, immunofluorescent staining showed a predominant localization of TrkB in AT2 and ACTA2+ cells; its expression and phosphorylation were increased at P7-P21. Although hyperoxia induced a 40-fold upregulation of lung Bdnf and a 3-fold elevation of serum BDNF, TrkB abundance and activation decreased by 90%. This was related to a lower Sftpc and increased Acta2 in lungs. Blockade of Trk(B) reduced survival of MLE12 and murine AT2 with a loss of epithelial AT1 and AT2 markers, whereas the TrkB agonist increased survival and regulated AT2 maintenance in precision-cut lung slices after hyperoxia. Our data identified an important functional role of TrkB signaling in AT2 cells, a mechanism that is blocked in neonatal mouse lungs after hyperoxia and may contribute to a lack of regeneration and to arrest of alveolar growth in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Item Description:Gesehen am 30.01.2026
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1535-4989
DOI:10.1165/rcmb.2024-0198OC

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