The potential of Olea europaea extracts to prevent TGF[beta]1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human nasal respiratory epithelial cells

Background One of the molecular mechanisms involved in upper airway-related diseases is epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Olea europaea (OE) has anti-inflammatory properties and thus, great potential to prevent EMT. This study aimed to investigate the effect of OE on EMT in primary nasal human respiratory epithelial cells (RECs). Methods Respiratory epithelial cells were isolated and divided into four groups: control (untreated), treated with 0.05% OE (OE group), EMT induced with 5 ng/ml of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF[beta]1 group) and treated with 5 ng/ml TGF[beta]1 + 0.05% OE (TGF[beta]1 + OE group). The effects of OE treatment on growth kinetics, morphology and protein expression in RECs were evaluated. Immunocytochemistry analysis was performed to quantitate the total percentage of E-cadherin and vimentin expression from day 1 to day 3. Results There were no significant differences between untreated RECs and OE-treated RECs in terms of their morphology, growth kinetics and protein expression. Induction with TGF[beta]1 caused RECs to have an elongated spindle shape, a slower proliferation rate, a higher expression of vimentin and a lower expression of E-cadherin compared with the control. Cells in the TGF[beta]1 + OE group had similar epithelial shape to untreated group however it had no significant differences in their proliferation rate when compared to TGF[beta]1-induced RECs. Cells treated with TGF[beta]1 + OE showed significantly reduced expression of vimentin and increased expression of E-cadherin compared with the TGF[beta]1 group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The ability of OE to inhibit EMT in RECs was shown by TGFb1-induced EMT REC morphology, growth kinetics and protein expression markers (E-cadherin and vimentin) upon treatment with OE and TGF[beta]1. Therefore, this study could provide insight into the therapeutic potential of OE to inhibit pathological tissue remodelling and persistent inflammation. Keywords: Olive, TGF[beta]1, EMT, Vimentin, Circularity, E-cadherin