ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of kinetin on bleomycin A5 (BLM-A5)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. MethodsSixty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group A (n=20) was intratracheally injected with saline as control. Group B (n=20) were intratracheally injected with BLM-A5 to establish pulmonary fibrosis model. Group C (n=20) was intratracheally injected with BLM-A5 and received intraperitoneal injection of kinetin at 0.5 mL/100 g once daily. The rats were sacrificed on the 3rd,7th,14th and 28th day respectively. HE and Masson staining were performed to observe lung pathological changes. The contents of hydroxyproline (HYP),urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA),tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA),and PAI-1 in lung and plasma were measured by ELISA. ResultsAlveolitis was most obvious on the 7th day and pulmonary fibrosis was most severe on the 28th day in group B compared with other two groups (P<0.05). Alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in group C were significantly alleviated compared with group B (P<0.05),but still more severe than group A (P<0.05). The HYP contents in group B,coincided with fibrosis,began to increase on the 7th day and reached the peak on the 28th day,significantly higher than those in other two groups (P<0.05). The u-PA contents of lung tissue in group B began to decline on the 3rd day,reached the minimum on the 7th day,and was still significantly lower than those in other two groups (P<0.05).On the 14th day, the u-PA contents had no significant difference among three groups. The u-PA plasma contents in group B began to decline on the 3rd day,reached the minimum and had significant difference compared with other two groups on the 7th day (P<0.05),and there was no significantly difference among three groups after the 14th day. The t-PA contents change of lung tissue and plasma in three groups were generally consistent with u-PA,but the t-PA plasma contents in group B were still significantly lower than those in group A on the 14th day (P<0.05). The PAI-1 contents of lung tissue in group B began to increase on the 3rd day,reached the maximum on the 7th day,was still significantly higher than those in other two groups (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among three groups on the 14th day. The PAI-1 contents in group C decreased compared with those in group B (P<0.05),but still higher than those in group A (P<0.05),and there was no difference among them on the 14th day. The PAI-1 plasma contents in group B began to increase on the 3rd day,reached the maximum and was significantly higher than other two groups on the 7th day (P<0.05),and there was no significant difference among three groups on the 14th day. ConclusionThe contents of u-PA and t-PA are increased by inhibiting PAI-1 generation in lung tissue through kinetin treatment,so that,kinetin can suppress pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM-A5.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of medical ozone in treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsForty Wistar rats were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 20 rats in each group.All rats were intratreacheally instilled with bleomycin to induce pulmonary fibrosis.Then the rats were intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline every other day in the control group, and with medical ozone every other day in the experimental group.After 28 days, 10 rats in each group were sacrificed after lung function test.Right lung tissues were sampled for pathological examination, and left lung tissues were sampled for measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and hydroxyproline.The remaining 10 rats in each group continued to be normally fed and intraperitoneally injected for observation of the survival time. ResultsThe lung function of the control group significantly decreased compared with the experimental group.The degree of lung fibrosis in the control group was more severe than that in the experimental group (lung fibrosis score: 1.9±0.5 vs.1.2±0.4, P < 0.05). The level of SOD in lung tissue was significantly higher and the level of hydroxyproline was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group [(208.48±29.37)U·mg-1·pro-1 vs.(163.34±21.42) U·mg-1·pro-1, (2.25±0.28) mg/g vs.(2.68±0.37) mg/g, P < 0.05].The rats in the experimental group had longer survival time compared with the control group (79 d vs.59 d, P < 0.05). ConclusionMedical ozone can delay the progress of pulmonary fibrosis in rats.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and the possible mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) in therapy of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.MethodsBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were harvested from 6-week old male BALB/c mice. One hundred and four female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. Mice in control (n=32) and BLM group were instilled with normal saline (NS) or BLM via trachea and NS were injected via tail vein on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after NS administration. Mice in MSC group (n=40) were instilled with BLM via trachea and MSC (total cell number=1.5×106) were injected via tail vein. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th and 32nd day after BLM administration, the percentage of Gr-1+CD11b+ cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was detected by flow cytometry. Eight mice from each group were killed on the 3rd, 8th, 18th and 32nd day after BLM administration, the percentage of Gr-1+CD11b+ cells in the lung tissue was detected by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the lung tissue specimens were stained with Masson. The sry gene of Y chromosome was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsCompared with BLM group, MSC transplantation significantly reduced pulmonary inflammation in MSC group [(1.32±0.25) vs. (2.53±0.56); and (1.06±0.42) vs. (2.27±0.82), respectively, P<0.01)]. Likewise, MSC transplantation significantly reduced pulmonary fibrosis and deposition of collagen as compared with BLM group [(1.02±0.44) vs. (1.81±0.74), and (1.51±0.73) vs. (2.72±0.54), respectively, P<0.05)]. The percentage of Gr-1+CD11b+ cells in the BLM group was significantly increased as compared with control group. Compared with BLM group, MSC transplantation significantly reduced Gr-1+CD11b+ cells in MSC group (P<0.05). The sry gene (201 bp) was detected in the lungs of female mice within 96 hours after MSC administration.ConclusionsMDSC participates in the procedure of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Syngeneic MSC inhibits the generation of MDSC and further suppresses BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
ObjectiveThis study construct a pulmonary fibrosis model in vivo to study anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect of ampelopsis.MethodsWe constructed a pulmonary fibrosis model by bleomycin in BALB/c mice. The mice were divided by weight random number table into a blank control group, a model control group, a dexamethasone treatment group (intervened with dexamethasone in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg), and three ampelopsis treatment groups intervened with ampelopsis in dose of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Bleomycin solution (3 mg/kg) was intratracheally injected respectively on 1st and 14th day, except the blank group. Twenty-eight days later, the relevant indicators were collected, including respiratory function (airway resistance, dynamic lung compliance, maximal ventilator volume), level of hydroxyproline and histopathological changes in the lungs.ResultsAfter 28 days, the model control group mice had severe respiratory resistance, dynamic lung compliance and maximal ventilator volume were decreased. The high dose ampelopsis treatment could enhance respiratory function (P<0.05). Lung coefficient was lower in the treatment groups than that in the model control group (P<0.05). The hydroxyproline of the treatment groups was less than that of the model control group (P<0.05). Histopathological examination showed that the degree of fibrosis increased in the model control group (P<0.05), but decreased in the treatment groups (P<0.05).ConclusionAmpelopsis can resist bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, relieve the symptoms of respiratory failure, reduce the formation of collagen, and produce anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect.
【Abstract】 Objective To explore the new therapy for pulmonary fibrosis by observing the effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 ( IGF-1) treated mesenchymal stemcells ( MSCs) in rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods Bone marrowmesenchymal stemcells ( BMSCs) were harvested from6-week old male SD rats and cultured in vitro for the experiment. 48 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, ie.a negative control group ( N) , a positive control group/bleomycin group ( B) , a MSCs grafting group ( M) ,and an IGF-1 treated MSCs grafting group ( I) . The rats in group B, M and I were intratracheally injected with bleomycin ( 1 mL,5 mg/kg) to induce pulmonary fibrosis. Group N were given saline as control. Group M/ I were injected the suspension of the CM-Dil labled-MSCs ( with no treatment/pre-incubated with IGF-1 for 48 hours) ( 0. 5mL,2 ×106 ) via the tail vein 2 days after injected bleomycin, and group B were injected with saline ( 0. 5 mL) simultaneously. The rats were sacrificed at 7,14,28 days after modeling. The histological changes of lung tissue were studied by HE and Masson’s trichrome staining. Hydroxyproline level in lung tissue was measured by digestion method. Frozen sections were made to observe the distribution of BMSCs in lung tissue, and the mRNA expression of hepatocyte growth factor ( HGF) was assayed by RTPCR.Results It was found that the red fluorescence of BMSCs existed in group M and I under the microscope and the integrated of optical density ( IOD) of group I was higher than that of group M at any time point. But the fluorescence was attenuated both in group M and group I until day 28. In the earlier period, the alveolitis in group B was more severe than that in the two cells-grafting groups in which group I was obviously milder. But there was no significant difference among group I, M and group N on day 28.Pulmonary fibrosis in group B, Mand I was significantly more severe than that in group N on day 14, but itwas milder in group M and I than that in group B on day 28. Otherwise, no difference existed between the two cells-grafting groups all the time. The content of hydroxyproline in group B was significantly higher than that in the other three groups all through the experiment, while there was on significant difference betweengroup I and group N fromthe beginning to the end. The value of group M was higher than those of group I and group N in the earlier period but decreased to the level of negative control group on day 28. Content of HGF mRNA in group Nand group I was maintained at a low level during the whole experiment process. The expression of HGF mRNA in group I was comparable to group M on day 7 and exceeded on day 14, the difference of which was more remarkable on day 28. Conclusions IGF-1 can enhance the migratory capacity of MSCs which may be a more effective treatment of lung disease. The mechanismmight be relatedto the increasing expression of HGF in MSCs.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Th9 cell relative factors, including PU.1, interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), in rats with pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsNinety SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, ie. a normal group, a pulmonary fibrosis group, and a dexamethasone treatment group, with 30 rats in each group. Ten rats in each group were sacrificed respectively on 7th, 14th, 28th days. Model rats were induced by injecting bleomycin into trachea. Real-time PCR was applied to detect mRNA expression of PU.1 and IRF4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. IL-4 in the peripheral blood was measured by ELISA. ResultsIn the normal group, the lung tissue was normal without inflammatory reaction and fibrosis at any time points. In the pulmonary fibrosis group, at the early stage the lung tissue showed alveolar inflammation with a large number of macrophages and other inflammatory cells infiltratation in the pulmonary interstitial and alveolar cavity; on 14th day, part of the alveolar structure disappeared, inflammatory cells infiltrated slightly, while the alveolar septum was mildly widened and fibroblasts proliferated; on 28th day, alveolar structure was destructed, partial alveolar walls were collapsed, alveolar septuml was significantly widened, extracellular matrix was hyperplastic, a wide range of fibrosis occured. In the dexamethasone treatment group, the alveolar structure exsisted completely, and the inflammatory cell infiltration, widened alveolar septum and fibrosis were significantly lighter than those in the pulmonary fibrosis group. PU.1 mRNA was significantly lower in the pulmonary fibrosis group compared with the normal group. Compared with the pulmonary fibrosis group, PU.1 mRNA were lower on 14th day and 28th day in the dexamethasone treatment group (P < 0.05). PU.1 mRNA increased from 7th day, reached peak on 14th day, and declined on 28th day. IRF4 mRNA was significantly lower in the pulmonary fibrosis group compared with the normal group. Compared with the pulmonary fibrosis group, IRF4 mRNA was lower on 28th day in the dexamethasone treatment group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the content of IRF4 mRNA and IL-4 on 14th day in the pulmonary fibrosis group (r=0.044, P < 0.05). ConclusionPU.1 and IRF4 play a role in inflammation leading to pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, and IL-4 may regulate Th9 cells through activating IRF4.
Objective To explore the clinical features of microscopic polyangiitis ( MPA )complicated with pulmonary involvement in comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Clinical and laboratory data of 27 patients with MPA and 56 patients with IPF in the Drum Tower Hospital from2006 to 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. The differences were compared between the MPA patients with pulmonary fibrosis manifestation ( MPA/PF patients) and those without pulmonary fibrosis manifestation( MPA/NPF patients) , and the IPF patients. Results The differences between the MPA/PF patients and the MPA/NPF patients were rarely found in terms of respiratory symptoms, ANCA positive rate, and multiple organ involvement, but the proportions of suffering severe renal damage and severe pulmonary hypertension in the MPA /PF patients were relatively high ( P lt; 0. 05) . Furthermore, there were significant differences between the MPA/PF patients and the IPF patients in terms of dyspnea, incidence of renal damage, ANCA positive rate, incidence of serious pulmonary hypertension, and multiple organ involvement. The IPF patients were more prone to develop dyspnea while MPA patients were more prone to develop renal damage, high ANCA positive rate, high incidence of serious PAH and multiple organ involvement, such as rush, joint pain,weight loss, fever and gastrointestinal symptoms ( P lt;0. 05) . Conclusions When patients have respiratory symptoms complicated with renal failure, skin damage, fever, and joint pain, the diagnosis of MPA should be considered. For patients who were clinically suspected as interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis,measurement of serumantineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and creatinine test are essential for diagnosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in a murine model,and provide novel insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsFrom Gene Expression Omnibus,we downloaded microarray data extracted from experiments of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in wild-type mice. With BRB-Array Tools,differentially expressed genes at different time points during disease development were screened,selected and analyzed by DAVID software. ResultsBRB array analysis identified 45101 differentially expressed genes. After induction by bleomycin on 7th day,1164 genes and 735 genes were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated (P<0.05,fold change>2),respectively. On 14th day,731 genes and 390 genes were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated (P<0.05,fold change>2),respectively. DAVID analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes were significantly enriched in cell cycle,p53 signaling and chemokine signaling pathway,damaging reaction and collagen metabolism gene sets. While the down-regulated genes were enriched in the drug metabolism pathway gene set. ConclusionsBioinformatics methodologies are able to efficiently analyze microarray data and extract its underlying information,provide novel insights for major molecular events and shift of cell signaling pathway during pulmonary fibrosis progression,and furthermore,finding molecular markers for early diagnosis and therapeutic targets.
ObjectiveBy intervening with gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to explore the downstream signaling pathway of the transcription factor forkhead box O3a (Foxo3a) in C57BL/6 mice who are induced to pulmonary fibrosis with bleomycin, as so to illuminate the possible mechanism of Foxo3a in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of pulmonary fibrosis.MethodsThirty C57BL/6 mice aged 6 weeks in half genders were randomly divided into a control group, a bleomycin group and a gefitinib group. The mice in the control group were injected with saline via trachea. The mice in the bleomycin group were injected with bleomycin at a dose of 3 mg/kg via trachea. The mice in the gefitinib group were injected with bleomycin at a dose of 3 mg/kg via trachea and then gastrically perfused with gefitinib (20 mg·kg–1·d–1). 14 days after the treatment, all mice were killed and lung tissue specimens were collected for further detection. Lung tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin eosin and Masson’s trichrome. The mRNA levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), E-cadherin, high mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1), Foxo3a, FoxM1 and Snail1 in the lung tissues were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of α-SMA, E-cadherin, HMGB1, phospho-Foxo3a (p-Foxo3a), Foxo3a, FoxM1 and Snail1 in the lung tissues were determined by western blot.ResultsThe scores of lung inflammation and fibrosis were evidently decreased in the gefitinib group compared with that in the bleomycin group (P<0.01). Compared with bleomycin group, the mRNA level of α-SMA, Snail1 (P<0.01) and HMGB1 (P<0.05) were declined, but mRNA level of E-cadherin (P<0.01), Foxo3a and FoxM1 (P>0.05) were ascendant in the gefitinib group. Meanwhile, western blot analysis showed reduced protein expressions of α-SMA (P<0.05), Snail1(P<0.01), HMGB1 (P<0.05) and p-Foxo3a/Foxo3a (P<0.01) in lung tissues, while expressions of E-cadherin (P<0.05), Foxo3a and FoxM1 proteins (P>0.05) were increased in the gefitinib group.ConclusionsIncreased activity of Foxo3a can down-regulate Snail1, which decreases the expression of α-SMA and increases the expression of E-cadherin, thereby attenuating bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
ObjectiveTo investigate the role of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1αsignaling pathway in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. MethodsFifty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group and a bleomycin (BLM) group.The pulmonary fibrosis model was induced by single intratracheal instillation of BLM(2.5 mg/kg) in the BLM group.Similarly, 0.9% saline was instilled directly into the trachea in the control group.Then all mice were sacrificed on 21st day.The lungs were collected for morphometric analysis with HE and Masson staining.The degree of pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated with Ashcroft score and content of hydroxyproline.The activity of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1αsignaling pathway and pro-surfactant protein C (Pro-SPC) were measured by Western blot.The level of collagen3 mRNA was assessed with quantitative real time PCR analysis.Collagen3 protein and numbers of apoptosis cells were observed with immuno-histochemistry. ResultsIt was exhibited that the thickening alveolar septa, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and fibrous obliteration in the BLM group but not in the control group.There was a significant difference in Ashcroft score and hydryoproline content in the BLM group.Meanwhile, the activity of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1αsignaling pathway was up-regulated and the protein of Pro-SPC was decreased in the BLM group.It was revealed that the numbers of apoptosis cells, expressions of Collagen3 protein and mRNA were increased in the BLM group. ConclusionAberrant activity of PI3K/Akt/HIF-1αsignaling pathway may aggravate the pulmonary fibrogenesis.