[Enhanced expressions of Wnt5a/JNK signaling pathway-related molecules in the lung tissues of asthmatic rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the expression of Wnt5a/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in the lung of asthmatic rats.


METHODS
The experimental rats were randomly divided into two groups, the model group and the control group. After the rat models of asthma were established, airway pathological changes were observed by HE staining; the expression of Wnt5a mRNA in the lung tissues and peripheral blood cells was examined by real-time quantitative PCR; and the levels of phospho-c-Jun (p-c-Jun) and phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) proteins in the lung tissues were measured by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, asthmatic rats presented with thickened bronchial mucosa with more obvious chrysanthemum fold, narrower airway, and more inflammatory cells infiltrated around trachea and pulmonary vessels. The inner airway wall and smooth muscle layer were much thicker in rats of asthma group than those of control group. The levels of Wnt5a mRNA, p-c-Jun and p-JNK proteins in the lung and blood of asthmatic rats increased as compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The expressions of Wnt5a mRNA, p-JNK and p-c-Jun proteins were elevated in asthmatic rats.
Department of Pediatrics, Clinical College, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256003, China.
Tingting
T
Han
Department of Pediatrics, Clinical College, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256003, China.
Yinyin
Y
Cao
Department of Pediatrics, Clinical College, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256003, China.
Lijun
L
Tian
Department of Pediatrics, Clinical College, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256003, China.
Xuebin
X
Feng
Medical & Pharmacy Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
Yuesi
Y
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015854:Up-Regulation; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein
D016755:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D000071818:Wnt-5a Protein; C491837:Wnt5a protein, rat; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases