Expression of AP-2α in lung tissue of passive-smoking rats and its correlation with apoptosis of alveolar septal cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between the apoptosis of alveolar septal cells and the expression of AP-2α in lung tissue of rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Rat models of COPD were replicated by passive smoking for 80 days.The alveolar septal cells apoptosis were detected by using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) methods and active caspase-3 in the lung tissue was measured by Western blot.The expression of AP-2α in rat lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Rat models of COPD were replicated successfully by passive smoking.Compared with those of normal group,the apoptosis rate of alveolar septal cells and the expression of active caspase-3 in the lung tissue were increased in COPD group.The expression of AP-2α was significantly higher than that from the controls (P＜0.05).Conclusions AP-2α may contribute to the pathogenesis of smoking-rat COPD and affect the apoptosis of alveolar septal cells. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Apoptosis; AP-2α