Expression and significance of KL-6/MUC1 in lung tissue of newborn rats with hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression of KL-6/MUC1 and the possible impact on alveolar development in lung tissue of newborn rats with hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods Sixty-four newborn rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: hyperoxic group and control group.The rats in hyperoxic group were exposed to high oxygen volume fraction of 900 mL/L, and the rats in control group were exposed to normal oxygen vo-lume fraction of 210 mL/L.The experimental control factors were the same in two groups.Eight rats were randomly selected from each group on day 1, 3, 7, and 14 after oxygen exposure.The alveolar development was evaluated by the number of radial alveolar count (RAC) and the alveolar area/pulmonary septal area ratio (A/S). The location, distribution, and expression of KL-6/MUC1 in the lung tissue were detected by the fluorescent immunoassay, Western blot, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with the control group, the RAC in hyperoxic group decreased on day 3 and continued to decline on day 14.The A/S in hyperoxic group increased on day 7 and peaked on day 14 (P 0.05). Conclusions The highest expression of KL-6/MUC1 can be observed in the early phase of hyperoxic exposure, and it decreases to the lo-west on the key point of pulmonary development.KL-6/MUC1 may play an important role in the alveolar development. Key words: KL-6/MUC1; Alveolar development; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Hyperoxia; Rat, newborn