title: Extracellular superoxide dismutase mRNA expressions in the human lung by in situ hybridization.
abstract: The extracellular form of superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), SOD3, is contained in the human lung in relatively high amounts when compared to other organs. It has not been previously shown whether or not EC-SOD is synthesized and secreted by specific lung cells. We examined the expression of EC-SOD mRNA in human lung cells by in situ hybridization using a digoxigenin-labeled EC-SOD cRNA probe. Strong signals of EC-SOD synthesis were found in the epithelium of all airways. Secretory and basal cells, but not ciliated cells, were labeled for EC-SOD mRNA. Expression of EC-SOD mRNA was found in endothelial cells lining both arteries and veins. Many cells in the alveolar septum exhibited strong expression of EC-SOD mRNA. In addition, epithelial cells lining the outer wall of intrapulmonary airways and vessels were heavily labeled for EC-SOD mRNA. The lung parenchymal epithelial cells containing EC-SOD mRNA were identified as alveolar type II cells by colocalization with surfactant protein-A. Human alveolar macrophages were found to contain a substantial amount of EC-SOD mRNA expression. Alveolar type I epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells did not display detectable signals of EC-SOD mRNA. Smooth muscle cells in muscular arteries were not labeled by the EC-SOD mRNA probe. These results show that airway epithelial cells and alveolar type II cells are the major cell types that synthesize fibroblasts EC-SOD in the human lung. EC-SOD has been shown by immunocytochemistry to be associated with the extracellular matrix around airway epithelium and in the walls of intrapulmonary arterioles. The site of EC-SOD localization, therefore, is closely related to the site of its synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Folz
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Crapo
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase