[Surfactant protein B expression and its role in the development of human fetal lung epithelial cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression patterns of surfactant protein B (SP-B) and its role in the development of human fatal lung epithelial cells.


METHODS
Human 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.


RESULTS
SP-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.


CONCLUSIONS
The 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.
Kong
Xiang-yong
XY
Department of Pediatrics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. kongxiangyong@hotmail.com
Du
Jiang
J
Feng
Zhi-chun
ZC
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D037701:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology
D037701:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein B