Lipopolysaccharide-induced injury is more pronounced in fetal transgenic ErbB4-deleted lungs

Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2011 Oct;301(4):L490-9. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00131.2010. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

Pulmonary ErbB4 deletion leads to a delay in fetal lung development, alveolar simplification, and lung function disturbances in adult mice. We generated a model of intrauterine infection in ErbB4 transgenic mice to study the additive effects of antenatal LPS administration and ErbB4 deletion during fetal lung development. Pregnant mice were treated intra-amniotically with an LPS dose of 4 μg at E17 of gestation. Lungs were analyzed 24 h later. A significant influx of inflammatory cells was seen in all LPS-treated lungs. In heterozygote control lungs, LPS treatment resulted in a delay of lung morphogenesis characterized by a significant increase in the fraction of mesenchyme, a decrease in gas exchange area, and disorganization of elastic fibers. Surfactant protein (Sftp)b and Sftpc were upregulated, but mRNA of Sftpb and Sftpc was downregulated compared with non-LPS-treated controls. The mRNA of Sftpa1 and Sftpd was upregulated. In ErbB4-deleted lungs, the LPS effects were more pronounced, resulting in a further delay in morphological development, a more pronounced inflammation in the parenchyma, and a significant higher increase in all Sftp. The effect on Sftpb and Sftpc mRNA was somewhat different, resulting in a significant increase. These results imply a major role of ErbB4 in LPS-induced signaling in structural and functional lung development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Elastic Tissue
  • ErbB Receptors / deficiency*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects
  • Fetus / embryology
  • Fetus / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / drug effects
  • Inflammation / embryology
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides / adverse effects
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / embryology
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptor, ErbB-4
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Uterus

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Peptides
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sftpc protein, mouse
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Erbb4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, ErbB-4