Sorted-Cell Proteomics Reveals an AT1-Associated Epithelial Cornification Phenotype and Suggests Endothelial Redox Imbalance in Human Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a neonatal lung disease characterized by inflammation and scarring leading to long-term tissue damage. Previous whole tissue proteomics identified BPD-specific proteome changes and cell type shifts. Little is known about the proteome-level changes within specific cell populations in disease. Here, we sorted epithelial (EPI) and endothelial (ENDO) cell populations based on their differential surface markers from normal and BPD human lungs. Using a low-input compatible sample preparation method (MicroPOT), proteins were extracted and digested into peptides and subjected to Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteome analysis. Of the 4,970 proteins detected, 293 were modulated in abundance or detection in the EPI population and 422 were modulated in ENDO cells. Modulation of proteins associated with actin-cytoskeletal function such as SCEL, LMO7, and TBA1B were observed in the BPD EPIs. Using confocal imaging and analysis, we validated the presence of aberrant multilayer-like structures comprising SCEL and LMO7, known to be associated with epidermal cornification, in the human BPD lung. This is the first report of accumulation of cornification-associated proteins in BPD. Their localization in the alveolar parenchyma, primarily associated with alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells, suggests a role in the BPD post-injury response. In the ENDOs, redox balance and mitochondrial function pathways were modulated. Alternative mRNA splicing and cell proliferative functions were elevated in both populations suggesting potential dysregulation of cell progenitor fate. This study characterized the proteome of epithelial and endothelial cells from the BPD lung for the first time, identifying population-specific changes in BPD pathogenesis. New & NoteworthyThe study is the first to perform proteomics on sorted pulmonary epithelial and endothelial populations from BPD and age-matched control human donors. We identified an increase in cornification-associated proteins in BPD (e.g., SCEL and LMO7), and evidenced the presence of multilayered structures unique to BPD alveolar regions, associated with alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells. By changing the nature and/or biomechanical properties of the epithelium, these structures may alter the behavior of other alveolar cell types potentially contributing to the arrested alveolarization observed in BPD. Lastly, our data suggest the modulation of cell proliferation and redox homeostasis in BPD providing potential mechanisms for the reduced vascular growth associated with BPD.