Surfactant protein B expression and its role in the development of human fetal lung epithelial cells.
- Author:
Xiang-yong KONG
1
;
Jiang DU
;
Zhi-chun FENG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Cell Survival; physiology; Cells, Cultured; Epithelial Cells; cytology; metabolism; Fetus; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lung; Pulmonary Alveoli; cytology; metabolism; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B; biosynthesis; physiology
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2006;26(8):1154-1156
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression patterns of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and its role in the development of human fatal lung epithelial cells.
METHODSHuman fetal lung tissues were obtained from 37 fetuses of 10-34 weeks at abortion with parental consent and from two newborn infants who died of non-pulmonary causes. SP-B expression in the lung tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTSSP-B was detected in the cytoplasm of nonciliated columnar epithelial cells of the human fetal lung in as early as the 16th week of gestation. The positive reaction of SP-B was enhanced during canalicular stages and was more intense in the distal than in the proximal airway epithelium. From the 25th week to the prenatal stage, SP-B expression underwent no significant changes in the primitive alveolar stage, but increased remarkably after birth.
CONCLUSIONThe expression and secretion of SP-B reflects the maturation of the epithelial cells in human fatal lungs, and may closely associate with the survival ability of the newborn infants.