The lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitor A-770041 attenuates lung fibrosis via the suppression of TGF-beta production in regulatory T-cells

Background Lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck) is a member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases. The significance of Lck inhibition in lung fibrosis has not yet been fully elucidated, even though lung fibrosis is commonly preceded by inflammation caused by infiltration of T-cells expressing Lck. In this study, we examined the effect of Lck inhibition in an experimental mouse model of lung fibrosis. We also evaluated the effect of Lck inhibition on the expression of TGF-beta 1, an inhibitory cytokine regulating the immune function, in regulatory T-cells (Tregs). Methods Lung fibrosis was induced in mice by intratracheal administration of bleomycin. A-770041, a Lck-specific inhibitor, was administrated daily by gavage. Tregs were isolated from the lung using a CD4(+)CD25(+) Regulatory T-cell Isolation Kit. The expression of Tgfb on Tregs was examined by flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The concentration of TGF-beta in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and cell culture supernatant from Tregs was quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results A-770041 inhibited the phosphorylation of Lck in murine lymphocytes to the same degree as nintedanib. A-770041 attenuated lung fibrosis in bleomycin-treated mice and reduced the concentration of TGF-beta in BALF. A flow-cytometry analysis showed that A-770041 reduced the number of Tregs producing TGF-beta 1 in the lung. In isolated Tregs, Lck inhibition by A-770041 decreased the Tgfb mRNA level as well as the concentration of TGF-beta in the supernatant. Conclusions These results suggest that Lck inhibition attenuated lung fibrosis by suppressing TGF-beta production in Tregs and support the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis.