Effect of sodium butyrate on lung vascular TNFSF15 (TL1A) expression: Differential expression patterns in pulmonary artery and microvascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor TNFSF15 (TL1A), a ligand for TNFRSF25 (DR3) and decoy receptor TNFRSF6B (DcR3), is expressed in human pulmonary arterial (HPAEC) and lung microvascular (HMVEC) endothelial cells where it might modulate inflammation and sickle vasculopathy. Pulmonary disease, endothelial abnormalities and inflammation are prominent features of sickle cell disease (SCD). Butyrate has opposing effects on endogenous TNFSF15 expression in pulmonary endothelium, acting as an inhibitor in HPAEC and an inducer in HMVEC. Similar effects were observed with a known cytokine TNF-α in these two cell types. Furthermore the TNFSF15 promoter utilized different combinations of cis-elements for its expression in these two cell types. AP1-like and G-rich sequence elements were critical for promoter activity in large vessel HPAEC while AP1-like and NF-κB consensus sequence elements were required in small vessel HMVEC. The requirement of an NF-κB sequence element by the TNFSF15 promoter in HMVEC but not in HPAEC supported the notion that HMVEC might be a target of inflammation and vasoocclusion in SCD. The dual effects of butyrate-dependant TNFSF15 regulation in lung endothelium may help in identify inflammatory pathways and understand the role of HMVEC in pathogenesis of vasoocclusion in SCD.