ENHANCING RESPIRATORY HEALTH IN ATHLETES: THE ROLE OF IL17RA KNOCK-DOWN IN MITIGATING LPS-INDUCED ACUTE LUNG INJURY VIA INHIBITION OF MAPK AND NF-ΚB PATHWAYS

Abstract

Acute lung injury (ALI) presents significant challenges in clinical settings, and athletes exposed to high-intensity physical activities are particularly at risk due to their increased respiratory demands. This study investigates the role of IL17RA in inflammation and its implications for treating ALI, which is critical for maintaining optimal respiratory function in athletes. We used animal and cell models treated with LPS to simulate ALI and explored the mechanisms through which IL17RA influences this condition. Transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR identified a significant upregulation of IL17RA in mice with ALI. Similarly, increased IL17RA expression was observed in LPS-treated MHS cells via Western blot analysis. Knock-down of IL17RA with siRNA led to a substantial decrease in IL6 and TNF-α levels and inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activation of P65, including p-p38 and p-Erk1/2 pathways. These findings suggest that targeting IL17RA could enhance respiratory recovery by mitigating inflammatory responses, thereby supporting athletes in maintaining or quickly resuming high-level performance after respiratory stress or injury.