[Expression and role of connective tissue growth factor mRNA in premature rats with hyperoxia-induced chronic lung disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in pulmonary fibrosis in rats with hyperoxia-induced chronic lung disease (CLD).


METHODS
Eighty premature rats were randomly exposed to hyperxia (FiO2=0.90) or room air (control group) (n=40 each). CLD was induced by hyperoxia exposure. The expression of CTGF mRNA and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), the levels of type I collagen and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index were assayed with enzyme linked immunoadsorbent (ELISA), immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 after exposure.


RESULTS
There were no differences in the levels of type I collagen, PCNA index, TGF-beta 1 protein and CTGF mRNA between the CLD and the control groups within 3 days after exposure. In the CLD group, the expression of TGF-beta 1 protein increased on the 7th day, remained at a higher level on the 14th and 21st day after exposure; the higher levels of type I collagen, PCNA index and CTGF mRNA were detected on the 14th day and peaked on the 21st day after exposure when comparing the control group. CTGF mRNA expression was positively correlated with type I collagen levels in the CLD group (gamma=0.89, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of CTGF in lung tissues is associated with pulmonary fibrosis in CLD rats.
Fu
Jian-Hua
JH
Department of Pediatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
Xue
Xin-Dong
XD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002908:Chronic Disease; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000150:complications*; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000032:analysis
C526316:CCN2 protein, rat; D024042:Collagen Type I; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor