The Expression Of Urotensin Ⅱ And Its Role In Human Pulmonary Fibrosis

PURPOSES:To investigate the abnormal expression of UⅡmRNA and protein and its correslation to development of human pulmonary fibrosis. And provide the relative experimental basis for the research of mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis.METHODS:The expressions of UⅡ,α-SMA,FN and COLⅢin the tissues of pulmonary fibrosis,43 number of samples and normal lung tissue,9 number of samples were observed by immunohistochemical technique SABC. Distribution of UⅡmRNA in the normal lung tissue and tissues of pulmonary fibrosis were detected by in situ hybridization.RESULTS:(1)UⅡmRNA and its protein were mainly expressed in the endothelial cells,the vascular smooth muscle cells,the fibroblasts and abnormal depositional ECM in fibrotic lung tissue,while weakly expressed in alveolar wall of normal lung tissue.(2)The positive rates of UⅡmRNA expression in control,pulmonary fibrosisstagel,2and 3were respectively 33.3%,85.7%,93.3%and 92.9%. There were significant differences of positive rates in control, pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3(P=0.001).(3)The positive rates of UⅡprotein expression in control,pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3 were respectively 33.3%,92.9%,86.7%and 92.9%;In contrast to control,there were significant differences of positive rates in pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3(P=0.002,P=0.007,P=0.002). (4)The intensitivities of UⅡmRNA and protein in pulmonary fibrosis are significant differences and positive correlation(R=0.566,P=0.000).(5)The positive rates ofα-SMA protein expression in control, pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3 were respectively 55.6%,92.9%,86.7% and 100%.(6)The positive rates of FN protein expression in control,pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3 were respectively 44.4%,100.0%,86.7%and 85.7%.In contrast to control,there were significant differences of positive rates in pulmonary fibrosis stagel,2 and 3(P=0.002,P=0.028,P=0.036).(7)The intensitivities ofα-SMA and FN were showed to be positively correlated to that of UⅡprotein(R=0.565,P=0.000;R=0.487,P=0.000).CONCLUSIONS:(1)There are positive correlation between UⅡhigh expression and fibrosis degree in Human Pulmonary Fibrosis.(2)It is suggested that UⅡplay an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis by activating fibroblasts and starting the abnormal deposition of ECM protein.