Suppression of the Protein Phosphatase 2A 2C B Subunit (PPP2R2C) Enhances Immune Responses in Human Bronchiole Small Airway Epithelial Cells

we the PP2R2C if is critical for the activity of and its influence on Methods: PPP2R2C expression levels were quantified in human small airway epithelial (SAE) cells isolated from healthy subjects and COPD subjects, and mice exposed to cigarette smoke. SAE cells were transfected with PPP2R2C siRNA and were treated with 5% cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Protein and RNA levels of genes of interest were quantified to investigate effect of PPP2R2C expression on cytokine secretion, caspase-3 activity and MAPK activity. Results: Expression of PPP2R2C is decreased in CSE treated cells, and SAE cells isolated from COPD compared to cells from healthy subjects. MMP1, IL-6 and IL-1β expressions increased in CSE exposed cells Silencing 2C increased basal IL-1β protein levels and caused trend increases in other cytokines. Loss of PPP2R2C increased MAPK, NF-κB, and JNK activities. Conclusions of the study: These data demonstrate that reduced expression of PPP2R2C is observed in SAE cells from COPD