Bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) remodelling in asthma is related to an increased mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced BSM cell proliferation in asthma. Since (i) mitochondria produce the highest levels of cellular energy and (ii) fatty acid beta-oxidation is the most powerful way to produce ATP, we hypothesized that, in asthmatic BSM cells, energetic metabolism is shifted towards the beta-oxidation of fatty acids.
We aimed to characterize BSM cell metabolism in asthma both and to identify a novel target for reducing BSM cell proliferation.
Twenty-one asthmatic and 31 non-asthmatic patients were enrolled. We used metabolomic and proteomic approaches to study BSM cells. Oxidative stress, ATP synthesis, fatty acid endocytosis, metabolite production, metabolic capabilities, mitochondrial networks, cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed on BSM cells. Fatty acid content was assessed using MALDI-spectrometry imaging.
Asthmatic BSM cells were characterized by an increased rate of mitochondrial respiration with a stimulated ATP production and mitochondrial β-oxidation. Fatty acid consumption was increased in asthmatic BSM both and . Proteome remodelling of asthmatic BSM occurred 2 canonical mitochondrial pathways. The levels of CPT2 and LDL-receptor, which internalize fatty acids through mitochondrial and cell membranes, respectively, were both increased in asthmatic BSM cells. Blocking CPT2 or LDL-receptor drastically and specifically reduced asthmatic BSM cell proliferation.
This study demonstrates a metabolic switch towards mitochondrial beta-oxidation in asthmatic BSM and identifies fatty acid metabolism as a new key target to reduce BSM remodelling in asthma.

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