Expression of Fibronectin, Vitronectin, Surfactant-A and D in Interaction of Pneumocystis carinii and Alveolar Epithelial Cells in Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia.
- Author:
Kun Young KWON
;
Young June JEON
;
Eun Sook CHANG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pneumocystis carinii;
Type I epithelial cells;
Fibronectin;
Vitronectin;
Surfactant-A and D
- MeSH:
Antibodies;
Antibodies, Monoclonal;
Dexamethasone;
Diet, Protein-Restricted;
Drinking Water;
Epithelial Cells*;
Fibronectins*;
Immunohistochemistry;
Membranes;
Microscopy, Immunoelectron;
Models, Animal;
Pneumocystis carinii*;
Pneumocystis*;
Pneumonia;
Pneumonia, Pneumocystis*;
Trophozoites;
Vitronectin*
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2000;34(9):625-635
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Both fibronectin and vitronectin bind to Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) and mediate the attachment of the organisms to respiratory epithelial cells. Surfactant A and D play a role in the interaction between P. carinii and host cells. In this study we examined the expression of fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D in the interaction between P. carinii and alveolar epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry and pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. The experimental rat model of P. carinii pneumonia was induced by administration of low protein diet (8%) and drinking water containing dexamethasone (2 mg/liter) for 6 to 8 weeks. The primary antibodies for light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistries were monoclonal antibodies including fibronectin (1:100) and vitronectin (1:100), and polyclonal antibodies including surfactant A (1:50) and D (1:50), respectively. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry for the fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D showed strong expressions on the P. carinii and surface linings of type I alveolar epithelial cells. The electron microscopic immunohistochemistry of the fibronectin and vitronectin showed a strong immunoexpression along the surface pellicles and tubular extensions of P. carinii trophozoites, and surface membranes of the type I epithelial cells. The surfactant-A and D proteins showed a strong expression on the pellicles of P. carinii and surface membranes of the type I epithelial cells, but a weak expression on the free-floating surfactant materials. In conclusions, the trophozoites of P. carinii were mostly attached to type I epithelial cells. The fibronectin, vitronectin, surfactant-A and D were strongly expressed, and played an enhancing role in the binding between the P. carinii organisms and the type I alveolar epithelial cells.
