Developmental regulation of chicken surfactant protein A and its localization in lung

Surfactant Protein A (SP-A) is a collagenous C-type lectin (collectin) that plays an important role in the early stage of the host immune response. In chicken, SP-A (cSP-A) is expressed as a 26 kDa glycosylated protein in the lung. Using immunohistochemistry, cSP-A protein was detected mainly in the lung lining fluid covering the parabronchial epithelia. Specific cSP-A producing epithelial cells, resembling mammalian type II cells, were identified in the parabronchi. Gene expression of cSP-A markedly increased from embryonic day 14 onwards until the time of hatch, comparable to the SP-A homologue chicken lung lectin, while mannan binding lectin and collectins CL-L1 and CL-K1 only showed slightly changed expression during development. cSP-A protein could be detected as early as ED 18 in lung tissue using Western blotting, and expression increased steadily until day 28 post-hatch. Our observations are a first step towards understanding the role of this protein in vivo.     

Immunohistochemical localization of ubiquitin cross-reactive protein in human tissues

Ubiquitin cross-reactive protein (UCRP) is an interferon-inducible ubiquitin homologue which is constitutively present in cells and can be conjugated to other proteins. Using a characterized polyclonal antiserum to UCRP, immunohistochemical localization of UCRP was performed on paraffin-processed normal human tissues and in human tissues known to contain ubiquitinated intracellular inclusions. The antibody to UCRP immunostained lymphoid cells, striated and smooth muscle, several epithelia, and neurons. The level of staining varied greatly between tissues but was in a consistent punctate pattern. Localization to neuromuscular junctions and striations is similar to that described for antisera to ubiquitin-protein conjugates. Inclusion bodies characterized by immunoreactivity to anti-ubiquitin were not detected by the antibody to UCRP. Importantly, because UCRP may also be detected by antisera to conjugated ubiquitin, future studies on the distribution of ubiquitin in tissue sections must now take account of possible cross-reactivity with UCRP.     

Expression and localization of chromogranin A gene and protein in human submandibular gland

Human saliva chromogranin A (CgA) is clinically promising as a psychological stress marker. However, expression of CgA is poorly understood in humans, although salivary gland localization of CgA in other mammals, such as rodents and horses, has been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated the expression and localization of CgA in the human submandibular gland (HSG) using various methods. CgA was consistently localized in serous and ductal cells in HSG, as detected by immunohistochemistry and in situhybridization. Reactivity was stronger in serous cells than in ductal cells. In addition, strong immunoreactivity for CgA was observed in the saliva matrix of ductal cavities. Western blotting gave one significant immunoreactive band of 68 kDa in the adrenal gland, HSG and saliva. Finally, CgA was detected in secretory granules of serous and ductal cells by immunoelectron microscopy. In conclusion, CgA in humans is produced by HSG and secreted into saliva.     

Expression and localization of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins in normal human tissues

The family of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins can suppress apoptosis induced by a variety of triggers. Among the IAPs, cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP have been characterized as inhibitors of specific caspases, and their expression, together with that of survivin, has been shown in several studies to play a role as tumor marker and prognostic factor for the survival of patients with cancer. Although survivin is usually not expressed in normal adult tissues, cIAP1, cIAP2, and XIAP have been found broadly expressed at messenger RNA level within normal cells. Here, we report an immunohistochemical study in a comprehensive panel of normal human tissues, and we confirm at the protein level the wide expression of IAPs. These results are consistent with a physiological role of IAPs in normal cells. Moreover, we show that IAPs' expression levels and localization patterns differ depending on the cell lineage. The variable subcellular localization of the IAPs within different cell types suggests that compartmentalization may contribute to regulate their function. The physiological role of these proteins should be further investigated to help tailor IAP-targeted therapeutic strategies for patients with cancer and circumvent possible side effects.     

Expression and localization of epithelial aquaporins in the adult human lung

Aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate water transport across epithelia and play an important role in normal physiology and disease in the human airways. We used in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence to determine the expression and cellular localization of AQPs 5, 4, and 3 in human airway sections. In nose and bronchial epithelia, AQP5 is expressed at the apical membrane of columnar cells of the superficial epithelium and submucosal gland acinar cells. AQP4 was detected in basolateral membranes in ciliated ducts and by in situ in gland acinar cells. AQP3 is present on basal cells of both superficial epithelium and gland acinus. In these regions AQPs 5, 4, and 3 are appropriately situated to permit transepithelial water permeability. In the small airways (proximal and terminal bronchioles) AQP3 distribution shifts from basal cell to surface expression (i.e., localized to the apical membrane of proximal and terminal bronchioles) and is the only AQP identified in this region of the human lung. The alveolar epithelium has all three AQPs represented, with AQP5 and AQP4 localized to type I pneumocytes and AQP3 to type II cells. This study describes an intricate network of AQP expression that mediates water transport across the human airway epithelium.     

肺癌和肺癌前病变组织中维甲酸受体的表达

目的： 探讨维甲酸受体（RAR）在肺癌癌前病变（支气管黏膜上皮不典型增生）和肺癌病变中的表达。方法: 在40例正常肺组织、41例支气管黏膜上皮不典型增生组织及143例肺癌患者手术标本中,用免疫组化的方法检测RAR的表达,分析RAR基因在肺癌变不同阶段间的变化。结果: 80.0%（32/40）的正常肺组织中可检测到RAR基因的蛋白表达;68.3%（28/41）的支气管黏膜上皮不典型增生组织和57.6%（83/143）的肺癌组织中可检出RAR（P<0.05）;且随着肺组织癌变过程的变化,RAR基因蛋白的表达呈逐渐降低的趋势（P<0.01）。吸烟者RAR蛋白检出率低于非吸烟者。结论: RAR表达下降与肺组织癌变过程密切相关,吸烟暴露可导致RAR基因表达降低,检测RAR基因表达下降可能为肺癌的早期临床诊断提供科学依据。     

Expression and localization of GRP75 in human epithelial tumors and normal tissues.

Using differential display mRNA techniques, the authors found cDNA of the heat shock 70 protein known as GRP75 overexpressed in ovarian cancer cell lines. In the current study, the authors used immunohistochemistry to characterize the expression pattern of GRP75 in ovarian carcinomas and compared it with epithelial tumors originating from the female reproductive tract, epithelial neoplasms from non-gynecologic sites (colon, pancreas, breast, and lung), and various normal tissues. The authors also developed an antigen capture ELISA assay to determine if GRP75 can be detected in tumors, ascites, or sera of patients with advanced mullerian adenocarcinomas. All epithelial tumors from the ovary and the female reproductive tract were positive for GRP75 expression with moderate to strong staining intensity; stromal expression of GRP75 was generally weak or absent. Adenocarcinomas from the colon, lung, pancreas, and breast also stained strongly positive for GRP75. The epithelial cells of all normal tissues examined were positive for GRP75, and strong staining was also seen in the corpora lutea, hepatocytes, enteric neural plexus of the esophagus and colon, and placental cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, and in subpopulations of pancreatic acinar cells. The ELISA assay detected GRP75 in tumor lysates and ascitic fluid, but not sera, of patients with mullerian adenocarcinomas. The authors conclude that GRP75 is highly expressed in both benign and malignant epithelium, as well as cells of specialized function from a variety of tissues.     

肺表面活性蛋白A在免疫炎症反应中的作用

表面活性蛋白A(SP-A)是肺表面活性物质(PS)的重要组成部分，结构上属于胶凝素家族成员之。SP-A除具有降低肺表面张力、维持肺泡正常生理功能的作用外，还参与了肺的局部防御和免疫调节过程。本文就近年来SP-A在免疫炎症调节方面的研究进展作一综述。     

Regularity of distribution of immunoreactive pulmonary surfactant protein A in rat tissues

Existing data has shown that SP-A-like protein or mRNA is widely distributed in lamellar bodies such as tissues and mucosal surfaces. Using immunohistochemistry method with a polyclonal antibody against human SP-A, in this study we investigated distribution of immunoreactive pulmonary surfactant protein A (IR-SP-A) in a number of rat tissues. The SP-A-like immunoreactivity was found in alveolar, parenchyma, pleura of lung; myelin sheath of brain; epithelia of Bowman's capsule, glomerulus and renal tubules of kidney; epithelia of colon, stomach, duct of salivary gland, pharynx; and blood vessel wall and connective tissue of extracellular matrix. The positive signal was blocked by pre-absorbed SP-A antigen from recombinant or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). SP-A has long been considered as an important frontier host defense molecule which participates in immune and inflammatory regulation of lung. With every inhalation, small particles, viruses, bacteria, and antigens from environment are continuously deposited onto the vast pulmonary epithelial surface. While a proper host defense is required to protect the lung, an over-exuberant response can disrupt the appropriate balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that body is an open system relevant to the external environment. The physical, chemical and biological environmental factors constantly affect the open system, and the body properly reacts to maintain homeostasis of body machinery. The Chinese traditional medicine scholars have thus hypothesized that 'Qi' (meaning air) is the communication way between the body and external environment. What is 'Qi'? The results from our study suggest that IR-SP-A is a candidate of 'Qi'. It is compatible with the sites, theoretically containing collagenous and lectin domain molecules, also compatible with the primary injury sites of some autoimmune diseases. SP-A may be as one of 'Qi' molecules mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine that trigger some of autoimmune diseases.     

Decidual expression and localization of human surfactant protein SP-A and SP-D,and complement protein C1q

Surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D, and complement protein C1q are soluble innate immune pattern recognizing molecules. SP-A, SP-D and C1q have an overall similar structure composed of an N-terminal triple-helical collagen region that is followed by a trimeric globular domain. While SP-A and SP-D belong to the collectin family (collagen containing lectin), C1q is the first recognition subcomponent of the classical pathway of the complement system. Recently, SP-A, SP-D and C1q have been considered to play important roles in early and late pregnancy. However, their expression in early human decidua has not been examined. Here, we investigated whether SP-A, SP-D and C1q are expressed within first trimester decidua in humans and their expression is associated with trophoblasts and decidual stromal cells. Decidual samples from women undergoing elective vaginal termination of pregnancy during first trimester were obtained from 25 subjects. Immunohistochemical studies using anti-human SP-A, anti-human SP-D and anti-human C1q antibodies were performed on decidual tissue sections along with anti-vimentin and cytokeratin-7 antibodies to identify stromal cells and trophoblasts. The expression was also examined by immunostaining and PCR using decidual and stromal cells. C1q expression was significantly higher when compared to SP-A and SP-D in the first trimester human decidua. Double immunostaining revealed that all stromal cells and trophoblasts expressed SP-A, SP-D and C1q, while only few invasive trophoblasts expressed C1q. Thus, expression of SP-A, SP-D and C1q in human decidua during first trimester suggests potential role of SP-A, SP-D and C1q during the early stages of pregnancy including implantation, trophoblast invasion and placental development.     

脂肪酸结合蛋白在人乳腺癌组织的表达及意义

目的研究脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP)mRNA及蛋白质在浸润性乳腺导管癌和乳腺纤维腺瘤的表达及分布,探寻人浸润性乳腺导管癌新的分子标志,为乳腺癌的靶向治疗提供理论依据。方法用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应、免疫组织化学染色和Western blot等方法检测脂肪细胞型FABP、心型或骨骼肌型FABP、脑型FABP、表皮或牛皮癣型FABP、肝型FABP、小肠型FABP和胃型FABP mRNA及蛋白质在35例浸润性乳腺导管癌,16例乳腺纤维腺瘤组织中的表达变化。结果RT-PCR结果显示A-、B-、I-和G-FABPs mRNA在两种组织的表达差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但E-、H-和L-FABP mRNA在浸润性导管癌的表达较纤维腺瘤显著升高(P<0.05)。免疫组织化学染色显示,E-、L-和H-FABP在浸润性导管癌的阳性细胞百分数较纤维腺瘤明显上调(P<0.05),分布范围更广。Western blot分析结果进一步证实,E-、L-和H-FABP蛋白质在浸润性导管癌表达明显上调(P<0.05)。结论E-、L-和H-FABP与浸润性乳腺导管癌的发生发展有关,对进一步探寻浸润性乳腺导管癌的分子标志及治疗途径具有理论意义。     

吸烟COPD模型大鼠肺组织内质网相关凋亡蛋白CHOP的表达

目的:研究吸烟所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)模型大鼠肺组织CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白同源蛋白(CHOP)表达的情况。方法:40只成年雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、吸烟2个月组、吸烟4个月组及戒烟组。采用单纯被动吸烟法复制大鼠COPD模型,测各组大鼠0.3秒用力呼气容积与用力肺活量比(FEV0.3/FVC)和最高峰值流速(PEF);采用TUNEL法检测肺结构细胞凋亡情况;采用原位杂交和RT-PCR检测肺组织CHOP的mRNA表达水平;免疫组化和Western blot检测其蛋白质水平;同时采用Western blot检测蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶(PERK)、p-PERK、真核生物起始因子(e IF)2α和p-e IF2α的蛋白水平。结果:大鼠吸烟2个月后,肺功能较对照组明显下降(P0.05),肺结构细胞凋亡明显增加,凋亡细胞主要是肺泡上皮细胞、血管内皮细胞和支气管上皮细胞,肺结构出现破坏;吸烟4个月后,FEV0.3/FVC显著下降(P0.05),肺结构凋亡细胞进一步增加,肺结构破坏明显;戒烟组肺功能较4个月组稍好转,肺结构破坏仍明显。与对照组相比,p-PERK、p-e IF2α和CHOP表达在吸烟2个月大鼠中升高(P0.05),在吸烟4个月大鼠中进一步升高(P0.05);戒烟组大鼠CHOP较吸烟4个月大鼠稍下降但差异无统计学意义;PERK和e IF2α在各组大鼠中表达的差异无统计学显著性。肺结构细胞凋亡与CHOP表达呈正相关;结论:吸烟可通过PERK/e IF2α/CHOP信号通路促进CHOP表达,从而促进COPD的发生与发展。     

Expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in human inflamed gingival tissues.

Gingival inflammation is initiated by bacterial colonization on the tooth surface. It is characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells, a common feature of many forms of chronic inflammation. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is the predominant monocyte chemoattractant secreted by a variety of different cells in vitro. For this report, we examined MCP-1 expression in bacterially induced gingival inflammation by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The cell types expressing MCP-1 are identified as vascular endothelial cells and monocytes/macrophages. Correlation analysis shows that the number of cells expressing MCP-1 is related to the degree of inflammation. Our finding that MCP-1 is expressed in inflamed gingival tissue suggests that MCP-1 plays an important role in the recruitment of monocytes and amplification of inflammatory signals in bacterially induced inflammation.     

Expression of the membrane protein tyrosine phosphatase CD148 in human tissues

CD148, a receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase also known as HPTP-eta/DEP-1, is involved in signal transduction in leucocytes and is thought to contribute to mechanisms of cellular differentiation. We have investigated the in situ expression of CD148 in various fresh-frozen tissues by immunohistology and analyzed its expression on subpopulations of activated peripheral blood leucocytes by flow cytometry. In lymphoid organs, CD148 was found to be widely expressed on B and T cells, granulocytes, macrophages, certain dendritic cells as well as mature thymocytes. The cellular level of CD148 was increased after in vitro activation of peripheral blood leucocytes. Comparative analysis of tissue samples from normal gut and from patients with active Crohn's disease showed that leucocytes expressing CD148 are significantly upregulated in inflamed tissues and that a subset of these cells co-express the activation marker CD25. In non-lymphoid tissues, CD148 was found to be present on many epithelial cell types with glandular and/or endocrine differentiation as well as on fibrocytes, melanocytes and Schwann cells. CD148 expression was maintained also in malignant counterparts of such tissues. However, a marked loss of CD148 immunoreactivity was apparent in some of the investigated high-grade carcinomas. In summary, our results confirm a role of CD148 as a leucocyte activation marker. Among non-hematopoietic cells, CD148 is expressed by characteristic types of epithelial and non-epithelial cells. Downregulation of CD148 might promote dedifferentiation and autonomous growth of such cells in malignant tumors.     

Identification and characterization of human surfactant protein A binding protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections represent a major primary cause of human respiratory diseases, exacerbate other respiratory disorders, and are associated with extrapulmonary pathologies. Cytadherence is a critical step in mycoplasma colonization, aided by a network of mycoplasma adhesins and cytadherence accessory proteins which mediate binding to host cell receptors. Furthermore, the respiratory mucosa is enriched with extracellular matrix components, including surfactant proteins, fibronectin, and mucin, which provide additional in vivo targets for mycoplasma parasitism. In this study we describe interactions between M. pneumoniae and human surfactant protein-A (hSP-A). Initially, we found that viable M. pneumoniae cells bound to immobilized hSP-A in a dose- and calcium (Ca(2+))-dependent manner. Mild trypsin treatment of intact mycoplasmas reduced binding markedly (80 to 90%) implicating a surface-associated mycoplasma protein(s). Using hSP-A-coupled Sepharose affinity chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we identified a 65-kDa hSP-A binding protein of M. pneumoniae. The presence of Ca(2+) enhanced binding of the 65-kDa protein to hSP-A, which was reduced by the divalent cation-chelating agent, EDTA. The 65-kDa hSP-A binding protein of M. pneumoniae was identified by sequence analysis as a novel protein (MPN372) possessing a putative S1-like subunit of pertussis toxin at the amino terminus (amino acids 1 to 226), with the remaining amino acids (227 to 591) exhibiting no homology with other subunits of pertussis toxin, other known toxins, or any reported proteins. Recombinant MPN372 (MPN372) bound to hSP-A in a dose-dependent manner, which was markedly reduced by preincubation with mouse recombinant MPN372 antisera. Also, adherence of viable M. pneumoniae cells to hSP-A was inhibited by recombinant MPN372 antisera, demonstrating that MPN372, a previously designated hypothetical protein, is surface exposed and mediates mycoplasma attachment to hSP-A.     

人肺和支气管成纤维细胞骨架蛋白的表达和增殖

背景：假设支气管和肺成纤维细胞在损伤修复过程中可能表现出不同的生物学特性,从而在慢性阻塞性肺病气道炎症过程中,支气管和肺组织呈现出不同的重构特点。 目的：在体外培养的人肺和支气管成纤维细胞上,观察骨架蛋白的表达以及二者增殖特性的差别,以助阐明慢性阻塞性肺病支气管和肺组织重构的发生机制。 方法：采用人肺和支气管成纤维细胞体外培养;免疫组织化学方法测定细胞波形蛋白和肌动蛋白的表达;MTT法测定细胞增殖。 结果与结论：人肺和支气管成纤维细胞均显著表达波形蛋白和肌动蛋白,但两种蛋白在细胞内的分布不同。波形蛋白呈斑点状分布于肺成纤维细胞胞浆内,并以细胞核周围为主;在支气管成纤维细胞内,波形蛋白均匀分布于细胞浆内。在肺成纤维细胞,肌动蛋白沿细胞膜分布;在支气管成纤维细胞,肌动蛋白广泛分布于细胞浆。在相同的培养条件下,支气管和肺组织成纤维细胞的增殖速度不同,支气管成纤维细胞增殖较肺成纤维细胞增殖速度显著增加。提示支气管和肺成纤维细胞增殖修复特性不同,这些生物学特性的差别可能在慢性阻塞性肺病支气管和肺组织不同的重构过程中发挥重要作用。