E2F1-Activated lncRNA FTX Promotes Asthma Progression via Regulating the SRSF1/RBPJ Axis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: Long non-coding RNA five prime to Xist (FTX) is considered a regulator for asthma. Therefore, we aimed to explore its more roles and molecular mechanisms in asthma process. METHODS: Serum samples from controls and asthmatics were collected. Asthma mouse models were induced with ovalbumin (OVA), and cell models were established using airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) treated with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). The inspiratory and expiratory airway resistances of mice were examined by measuring airway hyperresponsiveness. The pathological changes of mice lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin & eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Masson staining. Serum immunoglobulin E and inflammatory factor levels were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CCK-8, Transwell, and flow cytometry were used to assess cell function. FTX, E2F family transcription factor 1 (E2F1), serine rich/arginine splicing factor 1 (SRSF1), and recombination signal binding protein J (RBPJ) levels measured by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. The relationships among FTX, E2F1, SRSF1, and RBPJ were evaluated by dual-luciferase report, ChIP, RNA pull-down and RIP assay. The effect of FTX/SRSF1 on RBPJ mRNA stability was analyzed by the actinomycin D treatment assay. RESULTS: Upregulated FTX was detected in asthmatic patients, asthma mice, and PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. FTX downregulation repressed PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs viability, migration, and inflammation. E2F1 bound to the FTX promoter region to activate its expression, and E2F1 downregulation could repress PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs function via reducing FTX expression. Also, FTX stabilized RBPJ mRNA by interacting with SRSF1. RBPJ overexpression reversed the downregulation effect of FTX knockdown on PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs viability, migration, and inflammation. Meanwhile, E2F1 downregulation alleviated mouse asthma symptoms by inhibiting the FTX/SRSF1/RBPJ pathway. CONCLUSIONS: FTX, transcriptionally activated by E2F1, promoted asthma progression via the the regulation of the SRSF1/RBPJ pathway, thereby providing a possible therapeutic target for asthma treatment that warrants further validation.
Authors: Yuting Lai, Guoqing Qiu, Na Li, Yuming Chen, Yan Shen
Institution: Longgang Central Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214730795