Enzymes of collagen synthesis in lung tissues of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
The activities of prolyl hydroxylase (Pro-OHase), galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase (Glu-Gal-Hyl-Tase), and hydroxylysyl galactosyltransferase (Gal-Hyl-Tase) were assayed in lung tissues of hamsters with bleomycin-induced experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Serum Glu-Gal-Hyl-Tase and aspartate transaminase (Asp-NH2-Tase) were measured in the same animals. Lung fibrosis was induced by intratracheal bleomycin instillation, and the enzyme activities were assayed 2, 3, and 4 weeks after bleomycin administration. The activities of the three lung enzymes increased significantly after bleomycin instillation. However, no difference in the values of serum Glu-Gal-Hyl-Tase or Asp-NH2-Tase were observed. Histologic examination of lung sections indicated progressive fibrotic foci. These results thus indicate that the activities of collagen processing enzymes are elevated in the fibrotic lung tissues as a reflection of the increased rate of collagen synthesis during the period of active fibrogenesis, but unlike liver fibrosis, the elevation of tissue Glu-Gal-Hyl-Tase is not predicted by a corresponding increase in serum levels of this enzyme.
D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D005964:Glucosyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D011393:Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology*
D001761:Bleomycin; D003094:Collagen; D011393:Procollagen-Proline Dioxygenase; D005700:Galactosyltransferases; D005964:Glucosyltransferases; C023236:UDPgalactose-collagen galactosyltransferase; C023247:UDP glucose-collagen glucosyltransferase