[The study of E-cadherin expression on injury and repair of epithelium of respiratory tract in smoking mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate effects of smoking on E-cadherin (E-cd) expression of injury and repair of respiratory tract epithelium by observation of dynamic expression of E-cd on epithelial cells of respiratory tract in smoking mice.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry SP technique was used to examine E-cd expression on epithelial cells of respiratory tract in smoking mice of different stages and dosages and the morphological changes observed by light and electron microscopy respectively.


RESULTS
Four and twelve weeks after smoking, the E-cd expression in the epithelial cells was significantly down-regulated compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Morphologically, the intercellular junction was loose, and the epithelial cells were injured and proliferated on the same time. Eight weeks after smoking, however, the E-cd expression was not different from that of the control group (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking is able to cause wavy change of the E-cd expression on the epithelial cells which may play an important role in the injury and repair of the epithelial cell of the respiratory tract.
Xu
S
S
Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Science, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430030.
Wu
R
R
Chen
C
C
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055370:Lung Injury; D051379:Mice; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D015820:Cadherins