Hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors and their receptors in human lung emphysema.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors are key growth factors in the process of alveolar repair. We hypothesized that excessive alveolar destruction observed in lung emphysema involves impaired expression of hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors or their respective receptors, c-met and keratinocyte growth factor receptor. The aim of our study was to compare the expression of hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors and their receptors in lung samples from 3 groups of patients: emphysema; smokers without emphysema and non-smokers without emphysema.


METHODS
Hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factor proteins were analysed by immunoassay and western blot; mRNA expression was measured by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors, c-met and keratinocyte growth factor receptor mRNA levels were similar in emphysema and non-emphysema patients. Hepatocyte growth factor mRNA correlated negatively with FEV1 and the FEV1/FVC ratio both in emphysema patients and in smokers with or without emphysema. Hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factor protein concentrations were similar in all patients' groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors and their receptors is preserved in patients with lung emphysema as compared to patients without emphysema. Hepatocyte growth factor mRNA correlates with the severity of airflow obstruction in smokers.
Bonay
Marcel
M
INSERM U 700, Faculté Xavier Bichat, Paris, France. marcel.bonay@bch.aphp.fr
Boutten
Anne
A
Leçon-Malas
Véronique
V
Marchal
Joëlle
J
Soler
Paul
P
Fournier
Michel
M
Leseche
Guy
G
Dehoux
Monique
M
Crestani
Bruno
B
D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking; D014797:Vital Capacity
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; C065104:keratinocyte growth factor receptor